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Work-based Learning
Mr. Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what estimate she has made of the annual level of spending on work-based learning for (a) 16 to 18-year-olds and (b) over 19-year-olds between 2004–05 and 2008–09; [42647]
(2) what estimate she has made of the level of annual spending between 2004–05 and 2008–09 on (a) 16 to 18-year-olds and (b) over 19-year-olds on (i) advanced apprenticeships, (ii) apprenticeships, (iii) entry into employment and (iv) NVQ 1 to 4. [42648]
Phil Hope:
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) through an annual Grant Letter that sets out the LSC's key priorities. The operational delivery of individual programmes, taking account of these
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priorities and the funding made available by the Department, is a matter for the LSC. The following table details the allocations for work-based learning
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programmes for the relevant financial years. In addition funding allocations are given for the adult skills programme Train to Gain.
(5) Figures for 2004–05 are taken from LSC Accounts.
(6) Figures for 2006–07 are disaggregated from planning assumptions within the 2006–07 LSC Grant Letter.
(7) Figures for 2007–08 are disaggregated from planning assumptions within the 2006–07 LSC Grant Letter.
(8) Employer Training Programme (ETP) Pilots. These are the pilots for the roll out of NETP/Train to Gain in 2006–07.
The WBL totals shown in the aforementioned table for 2005–06 to 2007–08 are consistent with the plans outlined in 'Priorities for Success' published by the LSC in October. Bill Rammell wrote to all MPs at the time to inform them about the 'Priorities for Success' document.
For 2008–09 allocations are dependent on the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Data for allocations to programmes by qualification level are the responsibility of the LSC. In support of this PQ, LSC have been able to provide the following WBL programme/age breakdown for academic year 2004/05 only:
DEFENCE
Afghanistan
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a decision has been made on which country will lead the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps in Afghanistan after the UK. [42985]
John Reid: The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps is, and will remain, a British-led NATO formation. Upon the completion in February 2007 of its tour in Kabul as the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the headquarters group of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps will return to its permanent base in Germany. No decision has yet been taken on which headquarters will assume command of the ISAF at that point.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the extent to which planners at the Army's land command headquarters and UK permanent joint headquarters have the required resources to select the brigade for the Afghan mission in spring; and if he will make a statement. [42988]
John Reid: No final decisions have been made on the possible deployment of British forces to Southern Afghanistan as part of the expansion of the International Security Assistance Force. Any decision on such a deployment would take full account of our wider operational commitments.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in finalising plans for the expansion of the International Security Assistance Force into the south and east of Afghanistan; which countries have made a final decision on (a) troop deployment and (b) the nature of the capabilities which may be required; and if he will make a statement. [42989]
John Reid: On 8 December 2005 NATO Foreign Ministers agreed a revised operational plan to inform the expansion of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) into the south and then subsequently east of Afghanistan. NATO is currently in the process of generating the necessary forces which will embrace the wide range of capabilities necessary to implement ISAF expansion. Offers by nations to fill particular requirements are a matter for the countries concerned.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his Dutch counterpart on future deployments to Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [42995]
John Reid: I have regular discussions with allies, including the Dutch, about NATO operations in Afghanistan.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what type of individual protection will be provided to troops deployed to Afghanistan in the future. [43001]
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John Reid: All troops deploying to Afghanistan will be personally issued with body armour and helmets. In addition, task specific protection equipment will be issued to personnel depending on the operational role that the individual will perform.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what urgent operational requirements the Department has ordered to support future troop deployment to Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [43002]
John Reid: The urgent operational requirement (UOR) process is used to fine-tune our military capability to meet the threats and circumstances relating to particular deployments. Information regarding specific UORs remains operationally sensitive.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreement will govern the handover of prisoners detained in Afghanistan by UK forces to (a) US forces and (b) Afghan security forces; and if he will make a statement. [44262]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 20 January 2006]: We are currently concluding a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Afghanistan to cover the possible future transfer of any individual to the Afghan authorities following detention by UK forces. To date, the UK has not transferred any detainee to the Afghan authorities and there are no detainees under UK authority.
The UK has not and does not intend to transfer individuals detained in Afghanistan into the custody of US forces.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreement has been reached between NATO and the Afghan Government regarding the arrest and detention of prisoners apprehended on Afghan territory; and if he will make a statement. [44264]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 20 January 2006]: The role of the NATO-led international security assistance force (ISAF) is to provide support to the Afghan authorities in creating and maintaining a secure environment. Troops deployed under the ISAF are able to arrest and detain by virtue of the authorisations permitting use of all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate contained in, most recently, UNSCR 1623 (2005), and by agreement with the Government of Afghanistan. ISAF policy is that individuals should be transferred to the Afghan authorities at the first opportunity and within 96 hours or released.
C-130 Hercules
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with representatives of (a) the RAF and (b) industry on fitting a fuel tank inerting system to RAF Hercules C-130 aircraft before 30 January 2006. [44138]
Mr. Ingram:
The MOD's Equipment Capability Customer organisation has discussed with RAF Strike Command the possible fitting of Explosive Suppressant Foam to C-130 aircraft, and the Hercules Integrated Project Team is currently following this up with Marshall Aerospace. There are no plans to fit this before 30 January 2006.
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