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5 Jan 2004 : Column 19W—continued
Working Holidaymakers
Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many working holidaymakers have been accepted in each of the last two years for which figures are available, broken down by country of origin. [140702]
Beverley Hughes: Information on the number of working holidaymakers admitted to the United Kingdom, during 2001 and 2002, is given in the table.
| Total | Australia | Canada | New Zealand | South Africa | Others | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 35,775 | 16,820 | 2,885 | 5,295 | 8,830 | 1,945 |
| 2002(8) | 41,700 | 17,175 | 3,205 | 4,935 | 13,235 | 3,150 |
(8) Provisional
Note:
Data rounded to nearest five.
DEFENCE
"Delivering Security in a Changing World"
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on Northern Ireland of the Defence White Paper, "Delivering Security in a Changing World"; and if he will make a statement. [145075]
Mr. Hoon: The Defence White Paper sets out our analysis of the future security environment, its implications for defence, and how we intend to adapt our planning and force structures to meet the potential threats. It says:
- "The Armed Forces will continue to support the Police Service for Northern Ireland's public order and counter-terrorist operations for as long as they are needed. We will reduce the level of forces committed to this task as soon as the improving security situation and the capability and confidence of the PSNI allow.
Ultimately, our aim is to achieve a situation where an element of our deployable force structure is permanently based in Northern Ireland, just as throughout the rest of the United Kingdom."
Aircraft Carriers
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the plan to reduce the size of the two Royal Navy aircraft carriers. [144685]
Mr. Ingram: Final decisions have yet to be taken on the main specifications for CVF. The programme is currently in its Assessment Phase, which is aimed at increasing the maturity of the design as well as optimising capability and value for money. The size of the vessels will continue to evolve as the design matures to meet the required capability.
5 Jan 2004 : Column 20W
Armoured Vehicles
Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the operational availability is of (a) FV430 series, (b) CVR (T) and (c) Saxon, broken down by unit; and what the overall availability targets are for these vehicles. [144131]
Mr. Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Arms Contracts
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the allegations of fraud and bribery in relation to the Al Yamamah arms contracts. [145217]
Mr. Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 3 November 2003, Official Report, column 429W, to the hon. Members for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) and for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb).
Army Strength
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the present shortfall is in army personnel. [144800]
Mr. Caplin: The strengths and requirements of the Army are available in Tri-Service Publication (TSP) Number 3 entitled UK "Armed Forces Strengths and Trained Requirements"
A copy of the publication is available in the House of Commons Library.
The most recent copy contains details as at 1 November 2003.
Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current deployed strength is of (a) Queen's Royal Hussars, (b) 1st Battalion, The Light Infantry, (c) 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Wales, (d) 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, (e) 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots, (f) 26 Regiment Royal Artillery and (g) 35 Engineer Regiment. [144130]
Mr. Ingram: As at 11 December 2003, the deployed strength of the above units was as follows:
| Unit | Deployed strength |
|---|---|
| Queen's Royal Hussars | 517 |
| 1st Battalion, The Light Infantry | 773 |
| 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Wales | 556 |
| 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment | 516 |
| 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots | 330 |
| 26 Regiment, Royal Artillery | 490 |
| 35 Engineer Regiment | 668 |
5 Jan 2004 : Column 21W
Attitude Surveys
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of respondents to the last assessed Royal Navy/Royal Marine Continuous Attitude Survey responded (a) A great deal, (b) Quite a lot, (c) Partly, (d) Not very much and (e) Not at all to Question 21; and if he will make a statement. [143619]
Mr. Caplin: The information requested is drawn from the May 2003 edition of the Continuous Attitude Survey.
| Number | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Navy | ||
| Great deal | 179 | 19.40 |
| Quite a lot | 407 | 44 |
| Partly | 268 | 29 |
| Not very much | 49 | 5 |
| Not at all | 8 | 0.90 |
| Total | 911 | 98.50 |
| Royal Marines | ||
| Great deal | 14 | 17.10 |
| Quite a lot | 37 | 45 |
| Partly | 23 | 28 |
| Not very much | 6 | 7 |
| Not at all | 2 | 2.40 |
| Total | 82 | 100.00 |
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of respondents to the last assessed Royal Navy/Royal Marine Continuous Attitude Survey responded Yes to Question 25.4; and if he will make a statement. [143620]
Mr. Caplin: The information requested is drawn from the May 2003 edition of the Continuous Attitude Survey.
I should point out that question 25.4 in the September 2002 survey appears as question 29.2 in the last assessed survey.
| Number | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Navy | ||
| Yes | 58 | 6.30 |
| Responses | 907 | 98.10 |
| Royal Marines | ||
| Yes | 6 | 7.30 |
| Responses | 80 | 97.60 |
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many respondents to the last assessed Royal Navy/Royal Marine Continuous Attitude Survey who responded Yes to Question 25.4 then responded (a) I do not think people would believe me, (b) I was worried that there would be recriminations from the perpetrator(s), (c) I was worried that if I reported it the problem would get worse, (d) I did not believe anything would be done about it, (e) I was worried that reporting it might affect my career and (f) I considered the incident(s) to be too minor to report to Question 28; how many respondents identified (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five of the possible options; and if he will make a statement. [143622]
5 Jan 2004 : Column 22W
Mr. Caplin: The information requested is drawn from the May 2003 edition of the Continuous Attitude Survey. I should point out that question 28 in the September 2002 survey appears as Question 32 in the last assessed survey.
| Number | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| a. I did not think people would believe me | 38 | 9.90 |
| b. Worried about recriminations from the perpetrators | 43 | 11.20 |
| c. Worried the problem would get worse | Not an option in May2003 CAS | |
| d. Did not believe anything would be done about it | 64 | 16.70 |
| e. I was worried reporting it might effect my career | 64 | 16.70 |
| f. I considered the incident too minor to report | 59 | 15.40 |
| Total number of responses to all options—383 | ||
| Number | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| a. I did not think people would believe me | 1 | 3.40 |
| b. Worried about recriminations from the perpetrators | 5 | 17.20 |
| c. Worried the problem would get worse | Not an option in May2003 CAS | |
| d. Did not believe anything would be done about it | 5 | 17.20 |
| e. I was worried reporting it might affect my career | 5 | 17.20 |
| f. I considered the incident too minor to report | 5 | 17.20 |
| Total number of responses to all options—29 | ||
| Number | |
|---|---|
| Royal Navy | |
| 1 option | 70 |
| 2 options | 20 |
| 3 options | 35 |
| 4 options | 9 |
| 5 options | 14 |
| Royal Marines | |
| 1 option | 9 |
| 2 options | 1 |
| 3 options | 1 |
| 4 options | 0 |
| 5 options | 0 |
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of respondents to the last assessed Royal Navy/Royal Marine Continuous Attitude Survey responded (a) Very satisfied, (b) Satisfied, (c) Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, (d) Dissatisfied and (e) Very dissatisfied, to (i) Question 4, (ii) Question 7, (iii) Question 10, (iv) Question 11, (v) Question 12, (vi) Question 38, (vii) Question 39, (viii) Question 40 and (ix) Question 42; and if he will make a statement. [143624]
Mr. Caplin: The information requested is drawn from the May 2003 edition of the Continuous Attitude Survey:
5 Jan 2004 : Column 23W
| Very satisfied % | Satisfied % | Neither % | Dissatisfied % | Very dissatisfied % | Total responses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 | 12.50 | 47.60 | 23 | 11.70 | 4 | 925 |
| Q7 | 8.20 | 33.40 | 25.40 | 16.40 | 12.60 | 925 |
| Q10 | 4 | 37.30 | 32.60 | 18.80 | 6.20 | 925 |
| Q11 | 36.20 | 49.10 | 10.70 | 2.80 | 0.90 | 925 |
| Q12 | 5.00 | 31.50 | 26.20 | 21.30 | 15.20 | 925 |
| Q38 | 2.40 | 24.80 | 19.20 | 35.10 | 18.30 | 925 |
| Q39 | 1.70 | 25.70 | 21.60 | 34.80 | 15.50 | 925 |
| Q40 | 1.60 | 24 | 22.20 | 34.60 | 17.30 | 925 |
| Q42 | 4 | 40.40 | 33.30 | 16.50 | 4.80 | 925 |
| Very satisfied % | Satisfied % | Neither % | Dissatisfied % | Very dissatisfied % | Total responses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 | 12.20 | 40.20 | 29 | 11.00 | 7 | 82 |
| Q7(9) | 3.70 | 36.60 | 34.10 | 7.30 | 1.20 | 82 |
| Q10 | 6 | 36.60 | 28.00 | 22.00 | 7.30 | 82 |
| Q11 | 37.80 | 51.20 | 9.80 | 0.00 | 1.20 | 82 |
| Q12 | 1.20 | 31.70 | 30.50 | 20.70 | 14.60 | 82 |
| Q38 | 0.00 | 26.80 | 23.20 | 26.80 | 23.20 | 82 |
| Q39 | 0.00 | 19.50 | 25.60 | 37.80 | 17.10 | 82 |
| Q40 | 0.00 | 17 | 31.70 | 30.50 | 20.70 | 82 |
| Q42 | 0 | 23.20 | 48.80 | 14.60 | 3.70 | 82 |
(9) At the time of the administration of the survey, Minimum Time Ashore applied to rates from Leading Hand to Warrant Officer only, Able rates being governed by Separated Service guidelines.
From 1 April 2004 the Separated Service guidelines will apply to all.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of respondents to the last assessed Royal Navy/Royal Marine Continuous Attitude Survey responded (a) I am leaving and I have already given notice, (b) I am planning to leave but I have not yet given notice and (c) I am considering giving notice to Question 17; and if he will make a statement. [143625]
Mr. Caplin: The information requested is drawn from the May 2003 edition of the Continuous Attitude Survey:
Intentions with regard to future career in Royal Navy/Royal Marines.
| Number | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Navy | ||
| I am leaving and have already given notice | 28 | 3.00 |
| I am planning to leave but I have not yet given notice | 53 | 5.70 |
| I am considering giving notice | 75 | 8.10 |
| Royal Marines | ||
| I am leaving and have already given notice | 3 | 3.70 |
| I am planning to leave but I have not yet given notice | 14 | 4.90 |
| I am considering giving notice | 12 | 14.60 |
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of respondents to the last assessed Royal Navy/Royal Marine Continuous Attitude Survey responded (a) 70, (b) 77 and (c) 82 to Question 18; what the five reasons most often cited under "Other" were; how many respondents ticked (i) two and (ii) all three of the above answers; and if he will make a statement. [143626]
Mr. Caplin: The information requested is drawn from the May 2003 edition of the Continuous Attitude Survey:
5 Jan 2004 : Column 24W
| Number | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Navy | ||
| (a) No. 70—Had always intended to leave after this period of time | 21 | 5 |
| (b) No. 77—Wish to take up another career | 81 | 19.50 |
| (c) No. 82—Other | 71 | 17.10 |
| Royal Marines | ||
| (a) No. 70—Had always intended to leave after this period of time | 1 | 2.30 |
| (b) No. 77—Wish to take up another career | 10 | 23.30 |
| (c) No. 82—Other | 7 | 16.30 |
The total number of responses to all options—456.
Respondents ticking (i) two and (ii) all three of the above answers:
| (i) | (ii) | |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Navy | 36 | 6 |
| Royal Marines | 0 | 1 |
Five external reasons most often cited under the "Other" option:
| Number | |
|---|---|
| Royal Navy | |
| 1. General disillusionment/dissatisfaction with lifestyle | 19 |
| 2. Concern about marriage and children/life outside of work | 11 |
| 3. Pay | 9 |
| 4. Promotion prospects | 8 |
| 5. RN has changed for the worse | 6 |
| Royal Marines | |
| 1. Dissatisfaction with lifestyle | 3 |
| 2. Concern about marriage and children/life outside of work | 1 |
| 3. Job satisfaction | 1 |
| 4. Promotion prospects | 1 |
| 5. To travel | 1 |
5 Jan 2004 : Column 25W
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