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12 Jun 2008 : Column 422W—continued
Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers have been embedded in the (a) Iraqi 10th division, (b) Iraqi 14th division and (c) other Iraqi units in each month since January. [200956]
Des Browne: We began our policy of embedding personnel within the Iraqi army and its chain of command at the beginning of April this year. Prior to this, while we were not embedding, we had established a very close and effective training relationship with first 10th Division and then, following its establishment, with 14th Division. A considerable number of UK forces remain focused on this vital work of monitoring, mentoring and training the Iraqi security forces, with many of the balance providing direct support to it.
As of 30 April 2008, 94 UK personnel were embedded with 14th Division and 73 collocated with the Basra Operations Command. In addition to this number, UK forces also provide direct and substantial assistance to the Iraqi army both in the planning and conduct of their operations. We have also established a six-strong liaison team at Basra Palace.
There are currently no British soldiers embedded with the Iraqi army's 10(th) Division.
We have continued in our efforts to help develop the Iraqi navy and some 116 UK personnel, based at Umm Qasr Port, have been involved in this task.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK service personnel have suffered damage to their (a) sight and (b) hearing as a consequence of service in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan. [209312]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 6 June 2008]: The following tables show the numbers of UK service personnel who have attended the Role 2 (Enhanced), or Role 3 field hospital facilities in Iraq and Afghanistan with ophthalmic and ear nose and throat (ENT) conditions. Available records of this type do not separately identify those with only hearing problems.
| Ophthalmology | ||
| Iraq (March 2003 to December 2007) | Afghanistan (April 2006 to December 2007) | |
| Ear/nose/throat (ENT) | ||
| Iraq (March 2003 to December 2007) | Afghanistan (April 2006 to December 2007) | |
The tables show initial attendances only. The figures were compiled using the Operational Emergency Department Attendance Register (OpEDAR), which records all patients who have attended or been admitted through the A and E department of either a UK Role 2(E) or UK Role 3 operational hospital. OpEDAR is designed to capture diagnosis at the initial assessment, rather than track a patient through their care. It is possible for diagnosis to change over the course of treatment or for a patient to have multiple conditions.
These figures have been centrally compiled and there may, therefore, be a small percentage of cases that have not been entered into the reporting system.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many fatalities of service personnel in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan have been as a result of (i) heatstroke and (ii) other heat-related illness. [209649]
Derek Twigg: Since 2003, coroners’ inquests to date have found that two service personnel have died as a result of heat related conditions while serving in Iraq. There have been no heat related fatalities in Afghanistan. Additionally, one heat related fatality was recorded in Oman, in 2003, during Exercise Saif Sarea.
Military Aircraft: Aid
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria determine the use of military aircraft for deploying humanitarian aid. [209651]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
The Department for International Development (DFID) uses military aircraft if they are necessary to deliver humanitarian aid where civil aircraft are not suitable or are insufficient and if military aircraft can be spared from defence purposes. For example, DFID used military aircraft in addition to civil aircraft and other delivery channels in response to the Pakistan earthquake in 2005. DFID and the Ministry of Defence have an agreement for the use of military assets in humanitarian aid, including aircraft, when required and available.
Wherever possible DFID will use civil aircraft, to take advantage of their generally greater carrying capacity and availability and in accordance with internationally agreed practice and guidelines (the “Oslo Guidelines”) on the use of military assets in disaster relief. All DFID’s relief flights into Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis have been civil.
Suez: Navy
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records he holds on the number of navy personnel who (a) served in the Suez canal zone between 1951 and 1954 and (b) served in the Suez canal zone during the period 1951 to 1954 for a period of 30 or more days continuous service. [210213]
Derek Twigg: Royal Navy personnel records are not organised in such a way as to show the numbers of Royal Navy personnel who served in the Suez canal zone between 195l and 1954.
Duchy of Lancaster
National Income: Immigration
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact of (a) gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and (b) GDP per capita of the resident population on levels of immigration; and what plans he has to commission further such research. [206609]
Mr. Byrne: I have been asked to reply.
The issue of the links between migration and GDP and GDP per head was raised by the House of Lords Select Committee on Economic Affairs in its report, “The Economic Impact of Immigration” (Session 2007-08 HL Paper 82). The Government are considering the recommendations made by the Committee and will provide a formal response shortly. I shall arrange for copies of the response to be placed in the Library of both Houses and for a copy to be sent to the hon. Gentleman.
Prime Minister
Higher Civil Servants
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Prime Minister whether permanent secretaries of Government departments are responsible for holding information relating to the work of (a) existing and (b) former special advisers in their departments. [210064]
The Prime Minister: Special advisers are employed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Copies are available in the Library of the House.
Japan
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what matters in respect of bilateral co-operation on energy policy were discussed in his meeting with his Japanese counterpart on 2 June. [209130]
Bill Wiggin: To ask the Prime Minister whether he discussed whaling with the Japanese Prime Minister during his visit on 2 June 2008; and if he will make a statement. [210038]
The Prime Minister: I discussed a wide range of issues with Prime Minister Fukuda on his recent visit. I refer the hon. Members to the press conference I held with the Prime Minister Fukuda on 2 June 2008. A transcript of this is available on the No. 10 website
and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
Work and Pensions
Carers’ Allowances
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid in carer's allowance in each year since its introduction. [208715]
Mrs. McGuire: The available information is in the following table.
| Invalid care allowance-carer's allowance expenditure | |
| £ million, nominal terms | |
| Outturn | |
| Notes: 1. Invalid care allowance was introduced in 1976 but only for men and single women caring for a relative. 2. In 1986 invalid care allowance was extended to married women. 3. Name changed from invalid care allowance to carer's allowance in 2003. | |
Carers: Grandparents
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support is available to grandparents who care full time for their grandchildren. [209802]
Mr. Plaskitt [holding answer 9 June 2008]: Grandparents who are responsible for children are able to claim the same benefits as all other persons responsible for children; the exact amounts that they receive will depend upon the individual circumstances of each case.
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training is available to staff dealing with benefit claims to help them assist grandparents who care for their grandchildren to access appropriate benefits. [209803]
Mr. Plaskitt [holding answer 9 June 2008]: There is no specific training for staff when dealing with benefit claims from grandparents who care for grandchildren. In all cases, staff will consider the circumstances of people caring for children and will ensure that they are given the support and guidance required. In many cases this will involve signposting the customer to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs who administer most benefits and allowances for children.
Food
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much food waste his Department generated in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [208146]
Mrs. McGuire: The Department does not record levels of food waste. Food waste generated from the Department’s work based catering outlets is generally at a low level due to the strict protocols in place to minimise it.
Housing Benefit
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) which local authorities have made discretionary housing payments to tenants who are having difficulties paying their rent; [208123]
(2) how much of the discretionary housing payment allocated to local authorities has been paid to tenants who are having difficulties paying their rent; [208124]
(3) what proportion of the discretionary housing payment allocated to local authorities in the UK has been paid to tenants who are having difficulties paying their rent. [208125]
Mr. Plaskitt: Discretionary housing payments are administered by local authorities and the reasons for payment are not collated centrally.
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