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11 Jun 2007 : Column 752W—continued


Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what guidance his Department issues on the use of internal flights for travel by non-ministerial members of the Army Board; and what alternative modes of transport are considered; [139870]

(2) whether his Department issues guidance on the use of helicopters for travel by non-ministerial members of the Army Board; and if he will make a statement. [139871]

Derek Twigg: Since February this year the tasking of all military flights, both fixed wing and helicopters has been controlled by a single organisation within the Ministry of Defence acting under central policy direction. This policy requires that a high level of scrutiny is applied to such flights and that a detailed case should accompany each application.

Factors such as time, route, destination, protocol and security are considered, as well as the status of the customer, the availability of other, more cost-effective, methods of transport and the efficient use of our aircraft. Operational taskings always take priority over routine travel.

Army Board: Official Cars

Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the criteria used for selecting cars used by non-ministerial members of the Army Board for use in the UK. [135910]


11 Jun 2007 : Column 753W

Derek Twigg: The principle guidance which sets out the criteria used for selecting cars used by non-ministerial members of the Army Board for use in the UK is contained in JSP 800, the Defence Movements and Transportation Regulations Volume 5—Road Transport. Chapter 2—First Edition Jan 2007. A copy of this guidance is available in the Library of the House. In addition, any requirements for specialised vehicles, such as armoured staff cars, are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Army: Greater London

Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on entertainment by the
11 Jun 2007 : Column 754W
General Officer Commanding London District in the last 12 months, broken down by event. [137438]

Derek Twigg: The total expenditure on Official Entertainment by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) London District in the financial year 2006-07 was £2,922.26. The expenditure broken down by function, is listed in the table as follows.

Date Cost (£) Function Event/Reason

2006

10 May

107.64

Dinner Party

Hosting of Military, Civilian and Palace Dignitaries

16 May

62.81

Formal Lunch

Household Division Trustees Meeting

17 May

31.42

Formal lunch

Irish Guards Regimental Trustees Meeting

17June

165.02

Formal lunch

Hosting of VIPs and Dignitaries Post Queen’s Birthday Parade

5 July

205.00

Formal Dinner

Hosting of VIP Metropolitan Police Officer

7 July

279.50

Formal Lunch

Hosting of CGS

5 September

191.95

Formal Lunch

Meeting with Eyre Estates Trustees regarding Kings Troop RHA

26 September

104.21

Formal Dinner Party

Unit cohesion—Commanders

3 October

110.97

Formal Dinner Party

Hosting of Commanders and Military Attaché

12 October

187.20

Formal Dinner Party

Enhancing community relations Army and District Stakeholders

1 November

178.18

Formal Dinner Party

Unit cohesion—Regimental Adjutants

28 November

99.32

Dinner Party

Hosting of GOC UKSC(G)

4 December

229.19

Formal Dinner Party

Hosting of Household Division, past present and future

2007

17 January

251.62

Formal Dinner Party

Hosting of Crown Equerry and Guests

13 February

123.40

Formal Dinner

Hosting of D News and guests

22 February

252.00

Formal Dinner

Unit cohesion—Foot Guards staff at ITC Catterick

1 March

95.55

Dinner Party

Hosting of ACDS (R and C) and London District Commanders

14 March

83.36

Formal Dinner

Hosting of Colonel Irish Guards

21 March

163.92

Formal Dinner Party

Hosting of Brigade Major and MP’s


All expenditure on official entertainment is subject to strict departmental rules and compliance with the principles of propriety set out in Government Accounting.

Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2007, Official Report, column 843W, on Army: Greater London, if he will give a breakdown of the (a) staff and (b) maintenance costs as referred to in the answer. [138934]

Derek Twigg [holding answer 23 May 2007]: The current salary range for Ministry of Defence staff working in the household of the General Officer Commanding London District is shown in the following table.

Salary scales have been used for military staff and are indicative only. The original figure of £112,508.69 quoted for staff costs in FY 2005-06 included the costs of a driver. Drivers are appointment related rather than household related and should not have been included in household costs. They have therefore not been included in this answer. Actual salaries are being withheld on the grounds that they represent personal data under the meaning of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Salary details for those civilian staff that are employed by contractors are being withheld for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

Role Rank Salary r ange

House Sergeant

Sergeant

£27,000 to £34,000

Catering/Chef

Civilian

Cleaning Assistant

Civilians


The figure of £4,701.76 previously provided under the generic heading “maintenance” contained £1,000 for planned maintenance. Invoices for planned maintenance totalled £1,036.02 therefore the total spend on maintenance was actually £4737.78. This covered a range of costs, broken down as follows:


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11 Jun 2007 : Column 756W
Description of m aintenance £

Eradication of mice—initial visit

112.50

Eradication of mice—follow up visit

84.38

Chimney repairs

1,060.00

Roof repairs

15.65

Shower repair

65.48

Renewal of waste pipes sinks and basins

115.66

Clean carpets to public areas

62.92

Renewal of shower hoses and sprays

59.94

Shower repair

17.68

Remove and later re-fix bath panels

15.26

Renewal of worktops, seal wall joint and make good wall tiling

202.11

Renewal of chromium plated metal support leg to worktop

20.79

Remake bath panel frame

32.74

Check system/rectify faults

316.00

Bath repair

44.57

Battery back ups x 4

219.00

Renew rubber plug and chain to basin

3.30

Make connection for waste from washing machine

106.54

Supply and fix washing machine valves

80.53

Redecorate utility room

200.00

Electrics tripping out main breaker

40.25

Basement electrics tripping out test all

120.75

Clear blockage in drain

16.88

Repair to wardrobe

32.44

Re-fix loose door fitting

3.34

Replace broken window

49.01

Repair power supply to alarm system (currently running on back up battery)

40.25

Re-plaster wall in kitchen

258.28

Re-tile wall in kitchen

253.20

Renew MK fuse board to basement, moulded units

306.02

Renew MK fuse board to basement

218.52

Tefal Steam Generator Iron

175.00

Kitchen Equipment

164.58

Stock Crockery/Crystal

224.21


Army: Manpower

Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 16 April 2007, Official Report, column 142W, on the Army: manpower, what the cost was of training the cook in the household of the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland. [136115]

Derek Twigg: The Chef has been trained as a Corporal Chef Royal Logistics Corps at a cost of £16,500.

Army: North East Economic Forum

Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of the Chief of the General Staff's travel to and from the North East Economic Forum. [139861]

Derek Twigg: The cost of the Chief of the General Staff’s travel to and from the North East Economic Forum was £1,976.65. This figure is broken down as follows:

Transport From To Cost (£)

Helicopter

Minley

RAF Northolt

598.37

Plane

RAF Northolt

Teesside Airport

648.60

Plane

Teesside Airport

RAF Northolt

729.68

Total

1,976.65


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