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5 May 2004 : Column 1525W—continued
Overseas Military Students
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sums of money involved in training of military students for foreign Governments were (a) paid, (b) waived and (c) written off in each of the last three years; and which countries were involved. [168618]
Mr. Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.
Parachute Regiment
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of premature voluntary release applications (a) received and (b) approved in the last 12 months in (i) 1 Para, (ii) 2 Para and (iii) 3 Para; and if he will make a statement. [169306]
5 May 2004 : Column 1526W
Mr. Caplin: The number of Premature Voluntary Release (PVR) applications received from soldiers in the Parachute Regiment between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2004 was:
1st Battalion Parachute Regiment—702nd Battalion Parachute Regiment—653rd Battalion Parachute Regiment—60
All soldiers have a right to PVR once they have served the minimum engagement period, and provided they give appropriate notice. Information is not held centrally on the proportion of these applications that were subsequently withdrawn, but across the Army withdrawals amounted to some 38 per cent. of the total in the same period.
PVR information for officers is not currently broken down by unit, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the strength of the Parachute Regiment at (a) 1 April 2003 and (b) 1 April 2004 and the estimated strength for 1 April 2005; and if he will make a statement. [169307]
Mr. Caplin: As at 1 April 2004, the strength of the Parachute Regiment was 1,740. The corresponding figure on 1 April 2003 was 1,795. These figures exclude personnel from other units temporarily attached to the Parachute Regiment.
Projected strength for 1 April 2005 is not expected to differ significantly from the current level.
Postal Services
Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the provision of free postage for troop parcels for forces serving in Iraq. [167998]
Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement of 27 February 2004, Official Report, column 70WS, and subsequent answers of 5 March 2004, Official Report, column 1155W, to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock), and 1 April 2004, Official Report, column 1605W, to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson).
A series of reviews were undertaken by the Ministry of Defence between July 2003 and February 2004 which concluded that the scheme should be extended to April 2004 when it was judged that the complete Operational Welfare Package and Expeditionary Forces Institute support would be in place. There are no further plans to review the provision of free postal packets to the Iraq theatre of operations.
I should also point out that the British Forces Post Office rate for a 2 kg postal packet to Iraq (equivalent to
5 May 2004 : Column 1527W
the Royal Mail First Class Inland Rate) was £7.23. From 1 April 2004 the Royal Mail Group has reduced this charge to £6.89 and the British Forces Post Office has reduced its charge in line with this.
Radar
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he proposes to the system of radar cover; and if he will make a statement. [165059]
Mr. Ingram: Options for future air defence radar cover are currently being considered. No decision has been taken.
RAF (Medical Personnel)
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many vacancies exist for medical personnel at (a) RAF Leeming, (b) RAF Linton on Ouse, (c) RAF Dishforth and (d) Alanbrooke Barracks, broken down by (i) service, (ii) rank and (iii) specialisation; and if he will make a statement on his plans to fill those vacancies. [169990]
Mr. Caplin: The following vacancies exist for medical personnel, broken down as requested:
Vacancies—4
Base—RAF Leeming
Service—RAF
Rank—2 aircraftsmen, 2 civilians (1 part-time)
Specialisation—2 medical assistants, (1 physiotherapist, 1 part-time nurse)
AAC Dishforth and Alanbrooke Barracks, both Army bases, have no service vacancies. A military medical post at Flight Lieutenant level is currently vacant at RAF Linton on Ouse but is being filled by a civilian GP.
With the exception of one gapped medical assistant post, which can be managed within existing resources, action is in hand to fill all of these vacancies.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many medical personnel are based at (a) RAF Leuchars and (b) RAF Coningsby, broken down by (i) service, (ii) rank and (iii) specialisation. [169994]
Mr. Caplin: The following tables show the numbers of medical personnel based at RAF Leuchars and RAF Coningsby broken down by rank and specialisation. All are RAF personnel.
| Numbers of Medical Personnel | Rank | Specialisation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Squadron Leader | Medical Officer |
| 1 | Squadron Leader | Medical Officer (Full Time Reserve Soldier) |
| 1 | Civilian | Civilian Medical Practitioner |
| 1 | Flight sergeant | Medical Admin FS |
| 1 | Sergeant | Medical Administration |
| 2 | Corporal | Medical Administration |
| 10 | Aircraftsman | Medical Assistant |
| 1 | Sergeant | Pharmacy Technician |
| 2 | Sergeant | Staff Nurse Registered General Nurse |
| 1(24) | Flight Lieutenant | Medical Support Officer 612 Squadron |
| 1 | Sergeant | Medical Administration |
(24) From July 2004
5 May 2004 : Column 1528W
| Numbers of Medical Personnel | Rank | Specialisation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wing Commander | Medical Officer |
| 1 | Warrant Officer | Medical Administration |
| 1 | Sergeant | Medical Administration |
| 2 | Corporal | Medical Administration |
| 5 | Aircraftsman | Medical Administration |
| 1(25) | Corporal | Staff Nurse Registered General Nurse |
| 2(26) | Civilian | Physiotherapist civilian |
| 1 | Civilian | Nurse civilian |
(25) Currently deployed
(26) One post covered by two part time personnel
RAF Sealand
Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the impact on the local community of the loss of jobs at RAF Sealand in Flintshire; and what further plans he has for RAF Sealand. [169773]
Mr. Ingram: RAF Sealand was covered by a study into the future location of the RAF's Air Combat Service Support Units and other minor units. As I announced in my Written Ministerial Statement of 23 April 2004, (Official Report), column 30WS, I am inclined, subject to Trade Union consultation, to accept an option which would see the closure of RAF Sealand by April 2006. This would result in the loss of around 100 civilian jobs. The Defence Aviation Repair Agency which is located on the same site would not be affected. Any land that becomes surplus to requirements will be handled in accordance with usual procedures.
I would expect the impact on the local community of the closure of RAF Sealand to be negligible as Flintshire has an expanding economy and a low unemployment rate.
Royal Gibraltar Regiment
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's intentions are on the funding for the Royal Gibraltar Regiment; and if he will make a statement. [168851]
Mr. Ingram: A study into the missions, tasks and formation of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment is on-going. No final decisions have yet been taken. This study is part of the Ministry of Defence routine reviews/studies process. HQ British Forces Gibraltar and the Commanding Officer of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment are working closely to determine the most effective outcome.
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