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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
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 |
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]
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.
| Royal Navy | |||||
| Pinch point trade | Strength | Shortfall (Percentage) | Inflow | Outflow | Voluntary outflow (Percentage) |
| Army | |||||
| Pinch point trade | Strength | Shortfall (Percentage) | Inflow | Outflow | Voluntary Outflow (Percentage) |
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