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15 May 2008 : Column 1702W—continued

The increase in ward beds to the current total of 66 (through the addition of a 30-bed temporary ward annexe in May 2007) and improved ways of working have helped to enable the increased throughput of patients. However, it continues to be the case that most injuries treated at Headley Court have not been sustained on current operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. As an example, on 2 May, 46 ward beds were occupied, of which 23 were occupied by service personnel earlier evacuated from Afghanistan and Iraq. Most of the
15 May 2008 : Column 1703W
non-ward bed spaces (around 110 in total) are occupied by in-patients on a regular basis, but mainly by patients who have sustained injuries elsewhere.

However, information requested by operated theatre could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel have been referred to (a) a regional rehabilitation unit and (b) Headley Court in each year since 2003. [200941]

Derek Twigg: The following table shows the total number of new patient referrals, for a course of treatment, of armed forces personnel to all 15 of MOD's regional rehabilitation units (RRUs). Full figures are not available for 2003-04.

1 April to 31 March Number of new patient referrals

2004-05

4,320

2005-06

6,122

2006-07

7,168

2007-08

7,312


It should be noted that patient referrals cover a wide range of injuries, only a minority of which have been sustained on current operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

For total patient referrals to Headley Court, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him and my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Alan Simpson) today.

As well as having the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre as its core task, Headley Court has also hosted the regional rehabilitation unit for London and overseas patients (if they are not treated by the one of the two RRUs located in Germany). Figures for referrals to the Headley Court RRU are included in the answer referred to previously, as well as in the table. These figures could be separated out only at disproportionate cost.

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to his announcement of 6 May 2008, what the source of funding for the £24 million to be provided to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court is. [204572]

Derek Twigg: The Defence budget.

Armed Forces: Housing

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much Annington Homes paid to the Government for land it sold to the east of Layer Road, Colchester, previously occupied by Ministry of Defence housing; and what percentage this represented of the value of the proceeds received by Annington Homes. [199229]


15 May 2008 : Column 1704W

Derek Twigg: The 1996 sale agreement between Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL) and the Ministry of Defence related to the sale and value of properties rather than parcels of land. It has not proved possible to identify the specific site referred to or the number of properties it might have represented, and therefore we do not know what percentage the land represented.

Armed Forces: Manpower

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) target and (b) actual (i) inflow, (ii) outflow and (iii) voluntary outflow rate of each pinch point trade was in the last 12 months. [200952]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The following tables provide information on current pinch point trades. As can be seen, not all of the information on current pinch point trades is available. This is largely evident in the Army figures as there is insufficient data held on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system. During the transition to JPA, which was introduced to the Army in April 2007, some data were lost. These data are currently being rebuilt although it may be some time before reliable information is available. Target figures are not available as they do not exist. Not all pinch point trades can be rectified by inflow as the pinch point may appear at more senior levels; this loss of experience cannot necessarily be grown through inflow. Some gaps can be filled by promotion pull but the challenge is to stem voluntary outflow.

Data for previous years are not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. All three Services employ retention measures targeted at specific trade groups. For example, in the RN financial retention incentives (FRIs) are used to retain GR7 Instructors (£100,000 for pilot), MERLIN Aircrew and Lieutenant X Sub-Mariner Advanced Warfare Qualified (£25,000 with a Return of Service of four years). Other incentives include more flexible use of Full Term Commissions and the introduction of a Professional Aviator Pay Spine for air crewmen.

Similarly, in the Army, FRIs are used as incentives for Infantry at identified key decision points and there is considerable focus on improving wastage during training. To retain Royal Engineer Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel the Army has introduced specialist pay and extended the course to increase first-time pass rate. REME Recovery Mechanic is another trade where the removal of Class 1 time bars, development of an apprenticeship scheme and the instigation of early eligibility for promotion to LCpl have helped to aid retention.

The RAF have FRIs for a number of trades (fire fighter, nurse and gunner); introduced more flexible manning policies (such as re-engagement to 22 years for selected Base Rank personnel) and opened up Continuance as a way of retaining experience.


15 May 2008 : Column 1705W

15 May 2008 : Column 1706W
Royal Navy
Pinch point trade Strength Shortfall (Percentage) Inflow Outflow Voluntary outflow (Percentage)

Lt X SM Advanced Warfare Course Qualified

75

8

9

12

4.00

RN Harrier GR7 Instructors

7

57

n/a

n/a

0

Lt GR7 Harrier Pilots

35

51

n/a

n/a

4.50

Merlin Pilots

112

39

4

2

2.50

Merlin Observers

116

46

3

1

1.50

Merlin Aircrewmen

102

22

4

0

n/a

Leading Hand Warfare

1,108

41

189

52

8.30

Strategic Weapons Systems Junior Ranks

110

20

28

14

11.00

Able Bodied Warfare Specialist (Sensors Submariner)

173

23

26

18

14.00

Able Bodied Warfare Specialist (Tactical Submariner)

121

21

23

10

11.00

Able Bodied Diver

136

30

22

8

13.00

Able Rate 1 Seaman

351

15

32

34

19.00

Able Rate 1 Warfare Specialist

754

24

277

98

14.80

Able Rate 1 Communications and Information Systems

375

13

137

50

14.70

Leading Aircraft Controllers

75

44

7

6

6.50

Royal Marines Other Ranks

5,976

9

557

494

5.80

Sea-King and Lynx Avionics Supervisors

348

18

n/a

n/a

5.60

Cat A Nuclear Watchkeepers

217

24

27

8

5.00

Petty Officer Mine Warfare

56

27

10

1

2.40

Cat B Nuclear Watchkeepers

417

18

34

25

8.00


Army
Pinch point trade Strength Shortfall (Percentage) Inflow Outflow Voluntary Outflow (Percentage)

Infantryman Pte-LCpl

13,740

8.5

REME VM Pte-Cpl

3,140

14.6

5.8%

REME Armourer Pte-Cpl

321

16.8

5.1%

REME Rec Mech LCpl-Cpl

214

36.5

5.7%

Int OPMI Cpl-Sgt

498

26.0

5.0

RE Clk of Wks SSgt-WOl

276

15.1

1.8

REME Fitter Spr-LCpl

407

20.0

8.2

RA Gunner LBdr-Bdr

3,370

11.3

AMS ITU Nurse Cpl-Capt

30

23.1

AMS EM Nurse Cpl-Capt

37

30.2

AMS Radiologist Maj+

1

75.0

AMS Orth Surg Maj+

7

46.2

AMS Gen Surg Maj+

10

41.2

AMS Anaesthetist Maj+

20

59.2

AMS Gen Med Prac Capt+

137

10.5

5.8

AMS Radiographer Cpl+

12

57.1

10.4

AMS RGN

263

26.9

8.5

AMS ODP Cpl+

75

21.9

3.6

RA UAV Op (Level 4) LBdr-Bdr

57

47.7

10.9

REME Geo Spr-WO2

270

26.2

5.8

RE EOD Cpl-SSgt

500

28.7

3.8

REME C3S Spr-LCpl

740

22.8

9.5

RLC Ammo Tech Cpl-SSgt

314

15.4

4.2

RLC P&C Op Pte-Cpl

547

8.5

5.9

RLCChef Pte-LCpl

2,461

5.4

2.5

RSigs IS Engr Cpl-Sgt

400

-0.8

3.7

AGC(SPS) Mil Admin Pte-Sgt

3,557

10.4

CAMUS Musician

253

16.2

REME Aircraft Tech LCpl-Sgt

545

-7.9

REME Avionics Tech LCpl-Sgt

289

4.3


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