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19 Jan 2009 : Column 1043W—continued
Armed Forces: Internet
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether (a) the Army and (b) his Department has received (i) complaints from members of the public and (ii) communications from police forces about content posted on internet social networking sites by serving Army personnel; [248688]
(2) what measures (a) the Army and (b) his Department have in place to monitor content posted on internet social networking sites by serving Army personnel; how many instances of sectarian or racist postings by soldiers have been identified; and whether any Army personnel have been disciplined as a consequence of such activities. [248694]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: While certain websites are monitored to gauge opinion in response to events, neither the Army nor the Ministry of Defence has procedures routinely to monitor material posted by Army personnel on internet social networking sites.
There are no records of the Army or the Ministry of Defence having received communications from police forces about content on such sites, but during 2008, the Ministry of Defence received a very small number of complaints from members of the public regarding postings allegedly by serving Army personnel. Of those, only two cases were found actually to involve serving personnel and alleged sectarian or racist behaviour. In both cases, following thorough investigations, formal disciplinary action was deemed inappropriate.
Armed Forces: Manpower
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) required and (b) actual trained strength of each (i) regular infantry and (ii) Royal Marine battalion is. [248693]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Figures for Infantry battalions are shown in the following table:
| Division | Unit | Required strength | Actual strength |
In addition to the battalions shown in the previous table there are three incremental Guards companies which are primarily for public duties but which can also be used to augment the other Guards battalions as required:
| Unit | Required strength | Actual strength |
Figures for Royal Marine Commandos units are shown in the following table:
| Unit | Required strength | Actual strength |
Armed Forces: Training
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel at each grade or rank are working within his Department and the armed services on the delivery of the defence training contract awarded to Metrix. [247065]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The number of Defence personnel who are employed in the Defence Training Review (DTR) Package 1 Integrated Project Team to deliver the DTR Package 1 contract are as follows:
Brigadier x one
Captain RN x one
Commander x one
Wing Commander x one
Lt Colonel x two
Major x one
Warrant Officer two x two
Lt Commander x two
Squadron Leader x one
Ministry of Defence Police Chief Inspector x one
Bl x two
B2 x three
Cl x l0
C2 x five
D x four
El x two
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what revisions have been made to the timetable and the budget for the delivery of package 1 of the defence training contract awarded to Metrix; and if he will make a statement. [247066]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: No further revisions have been made to the timetable and budget for defence training review package 1 since my statement on 9 October 2008, Official Report, column 453.
The Metrix consortium's revised proposals have been received and are being evaluated. Only once the evaluation process has concluded can any definitive judgment be made for the future programme.
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the requirements are that form the basis of the request his Department has made to Metrix to submit a revised plan for package 1 of the defence training contract. [247067]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The requirements of the request to Metrix were to formally establish an affordable package 1 and confirm that the project can be delivered, and is commercially and technically compliant. The request did not seek a full resubmission of the Metrix bid, but instead asked for responses to a number of key project issues across work streams that have changed since the Preferred Bidder announcement and have the potential to affect the project's performance, cost or timetable.
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of the Warrior Fightability and Lethality Improvement Programme on the Defence Support Group; and what partnering arrangements are being considered; [247775]
(2) what procurement arrangements have been made for the Warrior Fightability and Lethality Improvement Programme; and if he will make a statement. [247776]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The Warrior Fightability and Lethality Improvement Programme is part of the wider Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP), which will upgrade the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle to meet the current and future requirements of the British Army. The programme is in the early stages of its Acquisition Cycle and, as it progresses into its Assessment Phase, it is planned that bidders will develop hardware demonstrators of their turret proposals, along with supporting technical and commercial submissions for further consideration. As the programme has not yet passed the Initial Gate approval point, I am unable to comment further on the proposed procurement arrangements or on the programme's effect on the Defence Support Group at this time.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the reasons were for the decision to restructure the Future Rapid Effects System programme. [248363]
Mr. Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the Equipment Examination written ministerial statement given on 11 December 2008, Official Report, column 65WS.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on commercial conditions affecting General Dynamics UK's ability to procure the Piranha V contract; and if he will support General Dynamics UK in bidding for the contract. [248365]
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