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20 Oct 2008 : Column 126W—continued
Armed Forces: Recruitment
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many servicemen and women were recruited to (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force in 2007-08; and how many left each service in the same period. [227975]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The number of UK regular forces servicemen and women recruited to and leaving (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force in 2007-08 can be found in tables 3 and 4 of Tri-Service Publication (TSP) 1—UK Regular Forces Strengths and Changes. TSP 1 is published monthly and the most recent publication shows figures for the 12 months to 1 September 2008 and financial year 2007-08 figures. September 2008 TSP 1 can be found at:
Copies of TSP 1 are also available in the Library of the House.
Armed Forces: Schools
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the co-operation between schools and armed forces recruitment centres; and if he will make a statement. [219914]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Co-operation between armed forces recruitment staffs and local schools remains at a high level. Armed forces presentation teams and careers advisers visit about 1,000 state and public schools across the UK each year, but only at the specific invitation of the schools/colleges themselves. Their aims are to raise the students’ awareness of the armed forces in a democratic society, support schools’ careers programmes, facilitate participative learning exercises with students, and offer advice on service careers. The teams do not go into schools to recruit.
We are proud of the work the single-service presentation teams do with schools and colleges to inform young people about the tremendous work undertaken and careers on offer in the armed forces and which can provide fantastic opportunities to a wide range of people from all sectors of society. Young people should be shown all available career options; the more information they receive about life in the Armed Forces, covering all points good and bad, the better informed they will be.
Armed Forces: Training
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account his Department has taken in its formulation of policy on training of the summing-up remarks of Mr. Justice Royce of Winchester Crown Court before the acquittal of Provost Sergeant Russell Price, Sergeant Paul Blake and Corporal John Edwards on 31 July 2008. [227404]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Immediately following Mr. Justice Royce's summing-up remarks, amendments were made to the Adjutant General's Administrative Instructions 67 (AGAI 67) Part Two (Minor Action) and this amendment has also been incorporated into Joint Service Publication 833 (Minor Administrative Action). The amendments relate to the award of a minor sanction. Any person awarding a minor sanction must now give the individual supervising the sanction written details of the sanction.
Other aspects of the summing-up remarks will be investigated as part of either the ongoing investigation currently being conducted by the royal military police or by the subsequent Army Board of Inquiry. It would therefore not be appropriate to comment further at this time.
Armed Forces: Weapons
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of (a) AS90s and (b) L118s are (i) in service, (ii) fit for purpose and (iii) out of service. [226834]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The figures requested are as follows.
| Percentage of total holdings in service | Percentage of in service holding fit for purpose | Percentage of total holdings out of service | |
There are 20 L118 (light gun) guns in service that are used for saluting and ceremonial roles. These are not capable of firing live rounds but for the purposes of answering this question they are counted as fit for purpose.
In answering this question the following definitions have been used:
In service: Total numbers excluding those which are out of service or awaiting receipt inspections and registration.
Out of service: Equipments past their out of service date and/or awaiting disposal.
Fit for purpose: Equipments which are capable of being used in whatever capacity they are currently required for.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of (a) light machine guns, (b) general purpose machine guns and (c) heavy machine guns are (i) in service, (ii) fit for purpose and (iii) out of service. [226835]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The figures requested are as follows.
| Percentage of total holdings in service | Percentage of in service holdings fit for purpose | Percentage of total holdings out of service | |
In answering the question the following definitions have been used.
In service: Total numbers held excluding out of service numbers.
Out of service: Equipments past their out of service date and/or awaiting disposal.
Fit for purpose: Equipments which are capable of being used in whatever capacity they are currently required for.
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of (a) Scimitar and (b) Spartans are (i) in service, (ii) fit for purpose and (iii) out of service. [226989]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The figures requested are shown in the following table:
| Percentage | |||
| Vehicle | Total fleet in-service | In-service fleet fit for purpose | Total fleet out-of-service |
In answering this question the following definitions have been used:
In-service—Total fleet numbers excluding out-of-service numbers.
Out-of-service—Vehicles past their out of service date and/or awaiting disposal.
Fit for Purpose—Vehicles which are capable of being used in whatever capacity they are currently required for.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current (a) in-service date and (b) cost of the Future Rapid Effects System is. [227869]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The Future Rapid Effect System programme is currently in its assessment phase. The in-service date and the cost of the programme will not be fixed until the main investment decision has been taken.
Army: Manpower
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) required, (b) actual and (c) fit for task strength of each battalion of the infantry is. [226906]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The figures requested are shown in the following tables.
The figures in both tables include personnel filling all roles within each battalion, not just infantrymen. Fit for task has been defined as fully deployable, and thus excludes those who may be fit to perform rear party duty.
This answer differs to the one I gave to the hon. Member on 19 June 2008, Official Report, column 1091W, primarily because the figures also take account of personnel listed as being of limited deployability or non-deployable for non-medical reasons.
| Div | Unit | Required strength | Actual strength | Fit for task strength |
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