Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 25 March 2010
Scotland
Departmental Buildings
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department provides subsidised gym facilities for its staff. [324555]
Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office does not have any gym facilities.
Wales
Departmental Buildings
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department provides subsidised gym facilities for its staff. [324552]
Departmental Written Questions
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what methodology his Department used to determine whether answers to questions in the formulation "if he will set out with statistical information related as directly as possible to the tabling hon. Member's constituency the effects on that constituency of his Department's policies since 1997" could be provided without incurring disproportionate cost; and if he will make a statement. [323875]
Mr. Hain: When deciding whether a response to a parliamentary question is likely to incur disproportionate cost my staff consult the relevant Cabinet Office guidance, paragraphs 7.26 - 7.31.
Rape Complaints Review
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with his ministerial colleagues on matters on which there will be co-operation between his Department and the Welsh Assembly Government in implementing the recommendations of the Stern Review of Rape Reporting in England and Wales. [323637]
Mr. Hain:
It is important to make clear that Baroness Stern's Review of Rape Reporting recognises that there has been real progress made to tackle sexual violence in our society. However, it also recognises that more still needs to be done and the UK Government are carefully considering the report and its twenty three recommendations to determine the best way forward. We will be establishing an action plan to address the
issues raised by Baroness Stern and will be discussing this plan with all stakeholders, including the Welsh Assembly Government.
I, and my office, remain committed to ensuring that all parties continue to co-operate and build upon the good foundations that have already been laid; and that we continue to support victims, challenge attitudes and further improve the response of the criminal justice system and health service.
Northern Ireland
Departmental Written Questions
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what methodology his Department used to determine whether answers to questions in the formulation "if he will set out with statistical information related as directly as possible to the tabling hon. Members' constituency the effects on that constituency of his Department's policies since 1997" could be provided without incurring disproportionate cost; and if he will make a statement. [323870]
Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) seeks to answer all parliamentary questions that do not incur disproportionate cost. Disproportionate cost is determined via a disproportionate cost threshold (DCT). The current DCT is £800, announced in Parliament by the Treasury on 20 January 2010, Official Report, column 15WS.
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Pay
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was paid in bonuses to staff of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in each for the last five years. [322995]
Paul Goggins: The amount paid in bonuses to staff of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in each for the last five years was as follows:
| £ | |
Defence
Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date his Department's Animal Welfare Advisory Committee last met. [323210]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee last met on 20 March 2007. The work of the Committee duplicates the work of the Home Office in regulating animal welfare, which the MOD fully complies with.
Armed Forces: Eyesight
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make it his policy that applicants to the armed forces will not be rejected on the grounds that they have previously undergone laser eye surgery; and if he will make a statement; [324338]
(2) whether members of the armed forces who have had laser eye surgery to achieve the required level of sight attainment are allowed to continue in service. [324339]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The following methods of surgical correction of myopia or hypermetropia are considered suitable for entry on an individual, case by case basis for non-specialist employment groups and subject to single service requirements:
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)
Laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK)
Laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
Intrastromal corneal rings (ICRs), otherwise known as intrastromal corneal segments (ICSs)
Recruits must fulfil certain criteria, including that at least 12 months have elapsed since the last procedure, that there are no significant visual side effects, and that refraction has stabilised.
Entry will not be considered for radial keratotomy (RK), or astigmatic keratotomy (AK), or any other form of incisional refractive surgery, other than those procedures listed above. All invasive intraocular surgical procedures remain a bar to entry.
The methods of surgical correction of myopia listed above for recruits may be considered suitable for serving personnel on an individual, case by case basis.
However, potential complications of the procedure may result in them being re-graded at a lower level of fitness, and significant deterioration in vision may require them to be re-graded as undeployable.
Exceptions to the above general policy apply in the case of some specialist employment groups, most notably aircrew. Aircrew are normally recruited before ocular maturity and at an age when Corneal Refractive Surgery (CRS) may not provide long-term refractive stability. Furthermore, the long-term outcome of CRS in trained aircrew needs to be evaluated before considering the procedure for potential aircrew. Therefore, candidates for recruitment to the armed forces as aircrew who have had CRS are rejected. There are no current plans to change this policy.
Serving aircrew in all three services are permitted to undertake certain forms of CRS currently including PRK or LASEK corrective surgery, with the consent and support of medical officers.
Armed Forces: Health Services
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body: Service Medical and Dental Officers: Supplement to the 38th Report 2009, what the shortfall was in regular service (a) medical officers and (b) orthopaedic and trauma surgeon officers for the (i) Royal Navy, (ii) Royal Air Force and (iii) Army, on the latest date for which figures are available. [322865]
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many trained orthopaedic surgeon (a) regulars and (b) reservists are (i) employed and (ii) required in each armed service. [323226]
Mr. Kevan Jones: Detailed data will no longer be published where this would highlight potential pinch points within the armed forces, including the Defence Medical Services. I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
In order to maintain appropriate external scrutiny of such data, the Department will continue to provide comprehensive manning data to the House of Commons Defence Committee on a confidential basis.
Armed Forces: Housing
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many complaints were received by Modern Housing Solutions on the maintenance of service accommodation in Windsor in each of the last 12 months; [323679]
(2) what defects there are in service family accommodation at (a) Calvary Crescent, (b) Broom Farm Estate and (c) Gratton Drive in Windsor; and what the (i) timetable and (ii) budget is for repairs to each; [323680]
(3) how often Modern Housing Solutions carries out customer satisfaction surveys; and when Modern Housing Solutions last conducted customer satisfaction surveys in Windsor; [323682]
(4) what assessment he has made of the effects of Modern Housing Solutions on the level of maintenance of service family accommodation. [323683]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The Housing Prime Contract (HPC), which covers the maintenance and repair of some 45,000 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties in England and Wales, has been delivered by Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) since 2006.
MHS provides a comprehensive service and continues to show a sustained level of performance against contractual targets. Over the last 12 months the following percentage of emergency, urgent and routine repairs were completed within the agreed contractual timescales.
| Repair type | Agreed timescale | Percentage completed in timescale |
The HPC streamlines the number of contracts and the supply chain, provides consistent processes and standards, allows for a single set of management data to assess performance, and the introduction of a 24-hour 365-day free phone helpdesk to provide a single point of contact for occupants.
MHS regularly surveys occupants by phone, via its website and through the completion of written questionnaires. Over the last 12 months, some 94 per cent. of occupants surveyed were satisfied with the service provided by the helpdesk and over 90 per cent. with the repair and maintenance service.
A breakdown by location of the number of complaints received, the level of customer satisfaction, the time taken to complete repair jobs and the budget or actual cost in each case cannot be readily identified from the overall data.
A list of all defects reported for SFA at the requested locations in Windsor is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) longest, (b) shortest and (c) average time taken was to make repairs to forces accommodation in Windsor after a call out in the most recent period for which figures are available. [323681]
Mr. Kevan Jones: Information relating to the longest, shortest and average time period taken to make repairs to accommodation in Windsor can be ascertained but will take more time to collate and verify. I will write to the hon. Member.
John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many complaints have been received by Modern Housing Solutions in respect of its work at RAF Benson in each of the last 24 months; [324179]
(2) what performance indicators have been set for Modern Housing Solutions in respect of its work on defence properties; and what assessment his Department has made of its performance against these targets in the last 12 months; [324184]
(3) what assessment has been made of the performance of Modern Housing Solutions in relation to its work at RAF Benson in the last 12 months. [324185]
Mr. Kevan Jones: Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) undertake a wide variety of repair and maintenance work on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Key performance indicators relate to agreed contractual timescales for repairs. MHS are required to attend all emergency repairs within three hours and to make safe within 24 hours, to attend all urgent repairs within five working days and all routine repairs within 20 working days.
MHS regularly publish details of their performance against these and other targets on their website under 'Progress Info for Occupants':
In addition, MOD staff in Defence Estate, MHS and Station representatives meet at RAF Benson on a regular basis to review overall performance and any issues or areas, concerns or problems with specific locations would be discussed at that time.
While MHS record all complaints received, a breakdown by location cannot be readily identified from the overall data.
Armed Forces: Pensions
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the applicability of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 to widows who remarry and are subsequently divorced (a) under Scottish law and (b) in the rest of the UK. [323589]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The applicability of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 to widows who remarry, and are subsequently divorced does not differentiate between Scottish law and the rest of the United Kingdom.
In order for an earlier pension, which has ceased due to remarriage, to restart the separation must be recognised in legal terms as divorced, dissolved or widowed and those administering the scheme with the authority of the Defence Council must be satisfied that the pension should become payable to the beneficiary for reasons of hardship.
Armed Forces: Rail Travel
Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the class of fare to be used by officers of the rank of general and equivalent on rail journeys. [323644]
Mr. Kevan Jones: Officers who hold the paid rank of OF3 (Lieutenant Commander, Major or Squadron Leader) and above, when travelling on duty, are entitled to travel first class.
However, restrictions are currently in place and regardless of entitlement, rail travel should be standard class, not first class. The exception, to be authorised by line managers, is if by booking ahead a first class fare can be obtained for less than the flexible standard fare.
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