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Territorial Army
33. Mr. Waterson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of morale in the Territorial Army. [70524]
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Mr. Doug Henderson:
I am encouraged by indications that morale is maintained in the TA, and that it continues to attract new volunteers. We expect that the restructuring of the Territorial Army once implemented will, ensure that the TA is both more relevant and usable and, as a result, more satisfying to those who join.
Mr. Hoyle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the net effect of the review of the Territorial Army, in terms of number of units per head of the population, in (a) North West England and (b) North Wales. [69318]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
North Wales does not contain any TA units of Regiment or Battalion size. There are a number of sub-units in Northern Wales, but as sub-units vary considerably in size, a comparison between North Wales and the North West based on numbers of sub-units would not be meaningful. However, a comparison between the two regions based on numbers of TA members shows the net effect of the restructuring of the Territorial Army on each region.
Before the review of the Territorial Army, the ratio of members of the TA to population in the North West was 1:1,023. After the review, the ratio was 1:1,366, or a net increase in the ratio of 36 per cent.
Before the review of the Territorial Army, the ratio of members of the TA to population in North Wales was 1:1,050. After the review, the ratio was 1:1,832, or a net increase in the ratio of 74 per cent.
Mr. Hoyle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date Land Command submitted to Ministers the (a) first, (b) second and (c) final set of proposals for reorganisation of the Territorial Army; [69316]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
Land Command's recommendations for the future structure of the Territorial Army were put to Ministers on 2 November 1998.
Mr. Pearson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Government are taking to review the value for money of professional training in the armed forces. [70502]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
We keep the cost-effectiveness of training in the Armed Forces under continual review.
Maria Eagle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in implementing the smart procurement programme; and if he will make a statement. [70504]
Mr. George Robertson:
This Government are committed to improving defence procurement performance. Under our Smart Procurement initiative ten projects have just completed an encouraging pilot
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phase and lessons will be reflected in a full transition plan to be implemented over the next year.
Mr. Viggers:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received calling for the retention of Royal Hospital, Haslar as the tri-service medical centre. [70875]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
The new strategy for the Defence Medical Services was the subject of comprehensive consultation within the three single Services and their respective medical Directors General are fully committed to implementing the recommendations.
Since the announcement of the closure of the Royal Hospital, Haslar, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has received direct representations from the Trade Unions and members of the public and there has been a protest march in Gosport. The Hospital Commander is consulting with local TUs, mainly through the Whitley process; staff in HQ DSCA are responding to the letters from the public. The representations of the protest marchers were received by the Agency Chief Executive.
Mr. Viggers:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason it has been determined that the Royal Hospital, Haslar will remain open until 2002. [70874]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
In his statement on 14 December 1999, Official Report, column 329, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence made clear that the Royal Hospital, Haslar will remain open until new arrangements are in place. The booklet supporting the strategy announcement added that closure was unlikely before 2002. The plans of the Portsmouth and South East Hants Health Authority include the redevelopment of their Queen Alexandra Hospital site. This and the establishment of our new Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit (MDHU) will take a number of years. We have agreed with the NHS that the process of change should be managed and gradual to ensure that RHH is able, in the meantime, to maintain its training role for Military personnel and treatment services for both Service and NHS patients.
Mr. Viggers:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the reasons for choosing to establish a new Defence Medical Services Hospital Unit in Portsmouth rather than expanding the Royal Hospital, Haslar. [70878]
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Mr. Doug Henderson:
The decision to close the Royal Hospital, Haslar (RHH) was announced on 14 December 1998 Official Report, columns 328-29, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence as part of the overall new strategy for the Defence Medical Services.
Since RHH became the core Service hospital in 1994, significant changes have occurred which put the continued viability of the hospital in doubt. In particular, it has become increasingly difficult for RHH to provide the specialist levels of care demanded by local GPs, new healthcare strategies have been introduced by the local NHS Trust and the location of RHH is no longer ideal for the majority of Service personnel. Additionally, the running costs of RHH (not least the use of Grade 2 listed buildings) are significantly higher than any possible alternatives. Closer DMS co-operation with the NHS, through the Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit (MDHU) concept, has already demonstrated clear operational and financial advantages over isolated military hospitals. We intend to pursue this option in Portsmouth.
Mr. Viggers:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the effect of the closure of the Royal Hospital, Haslar on local employment. [70871]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
Until the size and shape of the proposed Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit in Portsmouth is established it is much too early to estimate the impact of the closure of the Royal Hospital, Haslar on local employment. Once it is possible to do so, the Defence Secondary Care Agency will consult closely with Trade Unions and the Employment Services to ensure that any transfers and releases are carefully managed throughout the long lead time.
Mr. Viggers:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the costs of upgrading NHS facilities to replace the services supplied by Royal Hospital, Haslar to the civilian population. [70873]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
This is a matter for the Department of Health. The provision of health care to the local population is the responsibility of the Portsmouth and South East Health Authority.
Mr. Viggers:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (i) civilian and (ii) military personnel have been treated at the Royal Hospital, Haslar since 1995 (a) in total and (b) for accident and emergency cases. [70869]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
Hospitals count the numbers of admissions and the number of outpatient appointments. Those details for the Royal Hospital, Haslar, along with those for accident and emergency cases, are as follows in the table, from 1 January 1995.
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(2) on what date Land Command made the recommendation to (a) transfer HQ 101 Battalion REME to Queensferry and (b) close HQ 101 Battalion REME in Chorley. [69343]
| Service | Civilian | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | New attendances | Follow up attendances | Total | New attendances | Follow up attendances | Total | Totals for year |
| 1995 | 1,690 | 5 | 1,695 | 16,968 | 30 | 16,998 | 18,693 |
| 1996 | 1,769 | 9 | 1,778 | 16,713 | 45 | 16,758 | 18,536 |
| 1997 | 1,819 | 6 | 1,825 | 18,585 | 69 | 18,654 | 20,479 |
| 1998 | 1,698 | 5 | 1,703 | 19,066 | 60 | 19,126 | 20,829 |
| Total | 6,976 | 25 | 7,001 | 71,332 | 204 | 71,536 | 78,537 |
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Military Personnel Wastage
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the military personnel wastage rates for (a) Royal Navy (i) officers and (ii) other ranks, (b) Army (i) officers and (ii) other ranks and (c) Royal Air Force (i) pilot officers, (ii) non-pilot officers and (iii) other ranks for each of the years 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 to date; [71930]
- (2) how his Department defines military personnel wastage. [71929]
Mr. Doug Henderson: Military personnel wastage is defined as all outflow of trained personnel. This is usually expressed as a rate which is calculated by taking the total outflow of all trained personnel during a period as a proportion of the average number of trained personnel in the period.
| Percentage | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | PVR (10) | Redundancies (11) | Retirements (12) | Other exits (13) | ||
| Naval Service Officers | ||||||
| 1995-96 | 8.0 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 4.7 | 0.5 | |
| 1996-97 | 11.8 | 1.9 | 5.1 | 4.1 | 0.7 | |
| 1997-98 | 7.3 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 4.2 | 0.5 | |
| 1998-99(14) | 6.6 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 3.7 | 0.5 | |
| Naval Service Other Ranks | ||||||
| 1995-96 | 9.2 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 1.4 | |
| 1996-97 | 14.2 | 5.2 | 4.1 | 3.3 | 1.6 | |
| 1997-98 | 10.4 | 5.1 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 1.8 | |
| 1998-99(14) | 11.0 | 5.5 | 0.0 | 3.3 | 2.2 | |
| Army Officers | ||||||
| 1995-96 | 8.4 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 4.5 | 0.5 | |
| 1996-97 | 7.8 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 3.3 | 0.9 | |
| 1997-98 | 7.5 | 3.6 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 0.4 | |
| 1998-99(14) | 8.9 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 3.8 | 0.5 | |
| Army Other Ranks | ||||||
| 1995-96 | 12.2 | 7.3 | 0.1 | 2.5 | 2.3 | |
| 1996-97 | 11.2 | 6.8 | 0.1 | 2.0 | 2.3 | |
| 1997-98 | 10.9 | 6.7 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 2.3 | |
| 1998-99(14) | 11.4 | 6.9 | 0.0 | 2.1 | 2.4 | |
| RAF Pilot Officers | ||||||
| 1995-96 | 8.9 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 0.6 | |
| 1996-97 | 11.3 | 1.5 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 0.2 | |
| 1997-98 | 7.7 | 2.8 | 0.0 | 4.6 | 0.3 | |
| 1998-99(14) | 9.0 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 5.9 | 0.6 | |
| RAF Non-Pilot Officers | ||||||
| 1995-96 | 10.3 | 1.5 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 0.5 | |
| 1996-97 | 12.7 | 1.9 | 6.3 | 4.1 | 0.4 | |
| 1997-98 | 5.3 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 0.3 | |
| 1998-99(14) | 5.8 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 2.7 | 0.3 | |
| RAF Other Ranks | ||||||
| 1995-96 | 12.6 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 0.7 | |
| 1996-97 | 18.0 | 3.1 | 9.5 | 4.6 | 0.7 | |
| 1997-98 | 8.2 | 3.6 | 0.0 | 3.8 | 0.8 | |
| 1998-99(14) | 8.7 | 4.3 | 0.0 | 3.8 | 0.6 | |
(10) PVR--Premature Voluntary Release. This includes those personnel who left the Services because of pregnancy and due to marriage.
(11) Redundancies include both voluntary and compulsory redundancies.
(12) Retirements refer to personnel who have either reached the end of their commission or the end of their engagement in their Service.
(13) Other exits include deaths, medical discharges, those personnel whose services are no longer required and compassionate release.
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The rates given for the Naval Service include all personnel who were serving in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and the Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service.
The rates given for the Army exclude those serving in the Gurkhas and those who were serving in the Royal Irish Regiment.
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