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15 Jun 2010 : Column 345W—continued
Armed Forces: Mental Health Services
Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the review of the six NHS mental health pilot schemes for former armed forces personnel; when he expects to publish the conclusions of the review; and what plans he has to allocate funding in support of the review's conclusions. [2648]
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the six NHS mental health pilot schemes for former armed forces personnel; and if he will make a statement. [2636]
Mr Robathan:
The Government are committed to providing effective, through-life, mental health services for our service and ex-service personnel. The Department
of Health and devolved Administrations, with support from the Ministry of Defence, are currently undertaking community mental health pilots for ex-service personnel at six NHS trusts across the UK. The final pilot in Scotland is due to be completed in April 2011.
Initial findings suggest that a variety of different approaches can be used to meet ex-service personnel needs including optional pathways into care not dependent on traditional GP referrals; that NHS processes and interventions benefit from medical personnel with an understanding and interest in veterans and who are able to carry out rigorous client assessment and case formulation.
MOD has provided some £500,000 towards the setting up and evaluation of the pilots. Evaluation of the pilots will be undertaken in the autumn. Subject to the findings, best practice will be identified and will provide input for planning future provision by the NHS of mental health services across the UK from 2011-12.
Armed Forces: Royal Household
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel of each rank from each service are attached to the Royal Household; and at what cost in the latest period for which figures are available. [2035]
Mr Robathan: In order to provide service knowledge and assistance to six senior principal members of the royal family in their service appointments, 13 members of the armed forces are permanently attached to the royal household at a total cost of approximately £960,000 per annum. Each post is rotational through the three services. The current breakdown is as follows:
1 Wing Commander (RAF)
1 Lieutenant Commander (RN)
1 Major (Army)
1 Captain (Army)
1 Warrant Officer Class 2 (Army)
1 Staff Sergeant (Army)
1 Petty Officer (RN)
1 Lance Sergeant (Corporal) (Army)
2 Corporal (Army)
1 Corporal (RAF)
2 Lance Corporal (Army).
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Mastiff, (b) Ridgeback and (c) other armoured vehicles are on order; and what the timetable is for their entry into theatre. [2520]
Peter Luff: The following Mastiff, Ridgback and other armoured vehicles are on order:
| Vehicle | On order |
The figures are limited to complete platforms and do not include enhancements to existing vehicles. The figures used represent the number of armoured vehicles on contract less those vehicles reported as already having been delivered to the Ministry of Defence as at 10 June 2010.
Details on the timetable for delivery of entry into theatre are being withheld as the information is likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the timetable is for delivery of the second batch of light patrol protected vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [2543]
Peter Luff: Industry responses to the invitation to tender for the initial batch of light protected patrol vehicles (LPPV) are due to be returned on 15 June. As a contract for the LPPV requirement has yet to be let, delivery details cannot be confirmed at this stage as they are still subject to commercial negotiations. Delivery of a second batch of LPPV will also be subject to commercial negotiations once the full requirement has been refined.
Astute Class Submarines
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the timetable is for the delivery of each Astute class submarine; and how many have been ordered in the last five years. [2516]
Peter Luff: Since June 2005, contracts have been awarded that relate to three Astute class submarines. These are as follows:
| Boat | Contract | Date |
The Strategic Defence and Security Review will define the future shape and role of the armed forces and the equipment that they will need. The impact on any specific equipment projects, including the Astute programme, will be announced in due course. Furthermore, the Astute programme is currently being re-baselined, so the delivery timetable can only be confirmed once detailed joint planning and cost analysis work has been completed.
Chinook Helicopters
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the timetable is for the entry into service of the first of the new Chinook helicopters; and how much has been spent from the public purse on the development of the new Chinook helicopters in the last five years. [2521]
Peter Luff: In December 2009, the Ministry of Defence announced the intention to procure 22 new Chinook helicopters. The date for entry into service of the first Chinook will be confirmed as part of the main investment decision later this year, although the first ten of the new Chinook are planned to be delivered during the course of 2012 and 2013. A contract valued at £68 million for development and long lead component manufacture was awarded to Boeing in March 2010 and up to the end of May work to the value of approximately £8 million has been completed.
Defence
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which defence projects are awaiting approval. [2539]
Peter Luff: The Government are reassessing spending approvals granted between 1 January 2010 and the general election to ensure that they offer good value for money and are consistent with the Government's priorities. This includes a number of approvals relating to Defence equipment projects and further announcements will be made in due course.
Defence Animal Centre
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his plans are for the future of the Centre for Defence Animals at Melton Mowbray; and if he will make a statement. [2036]
Mr Robathan: Under current plans the Defence Animal Centre at Melton Mowbray will continue to provide training for all military working animals and their handlers.
Defence Medical Services
Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the relocation of Defence Medical Services to Lichfield; and if he will make a statement. [2649]
Mr Robathan: The relocation of elements of the Defence Medical Services, namely Headquarters Surgeon General (HQ SG) and major components of the Joint Medical Command (JMC), is proceeding to plan. The new HQ, named Coltman House, has been built and is now fully occupied. Alongside HQ SG, the elements of the JMC now at Whittington comprise the Defence Medical Group (DMG) and JMC HQ (previously located at Gosport); Director Healthcare (previously located in London); Defence Dental Service (previously located at RAF Halton); and the Defence Postgraduate Medical Dean (previously located in Birmingham).
We anticipate announcing a preferred bidder for the next phase of the project, known as "Increment 2", this summer. This will include new training facilities, a new learning centre, a new lecture theatre, new messes for officers and for warrant officers and senior NCOs, and a new junior ranks dining and leisure facility. "Increment 3", running in parallel with "Increment 2", will provide modern living accommodation, and is being run as part of the MOD-wide Project SLAM (Single Living Accommodation Modernisation).
Departmental Official Hospitality
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what budget his Department has allocated for entertainment, including alcohol, in each of the next three years. [1319]
Mr Robathan: We use official entertainment to pursue UK security policy interests, facilitate a wider public understanding of the armed forces, and enhance professional contacts within the UK and with other nations. Expenditure on official entertainment must be modest and is incurred according to business need.
Expenditure in each of the last three years has been approximately £4 million. Departmental expenditure plans for 2011-12 and beyond have not yet been agreed, but we expect the amount spent to reduce.
Currently no new official entertainment can be arranged without the prior approval of nominated senior civil servants.
Ex-servicemen: Military Decorations
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans' lapel badges have been issued to former members of the armed forces to date. [2083]
Mr Robathan: As of 9 June 2010, 790,650 veterans lapel badges have been issued to former members of the armed forces and their entitled dependants since their introduction on 10 April 2004.
Ex-servicemen: Radiation Exposure
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what steps he plans to take on the issue of nuclear test veterans; and if he will make a statement; [2638]
(2) what his latest assessment is of research undertaken into the health of nuclear test veterans and their families. [2640]
Mr Robathan: This Government recognise and are grateful to all the service personnel who participated in the British nuclear testing programme. Their contribution ensured that the UK was equipped with an appropriate nuclear deterrent during the cold war which, thankfully, we never needed to use.
MOD has previously commissioned considerable research into investigating health issues relating to nuclear test veterans.
We will continue to look at any health issues raised by nuclear test veterans. We are currently considering a health needs audit of nuclear test veterans' health needs. The aim is for this project to be of practical relevance to veterans with results delivered to a reasonable time scale. The assistance and support provided by the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association in this process is greatly appreciated and we will continue to work with them going forward.
HMS Sultan
Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) civilian and (b) military staff at HMS Sultan School of Navy Engineering have informed his Department that they will not move to RAF St. Athan; and what the estimated cost is of replacing them with equivalent personnel. [2205]
Nick Harvey [ holding answer 14 June 2010]: Under current plans the relocation of Defence Training Rationalisation elements at HMS Sultan will take place by 2020. The appointment of military staff to posts in St Athan will be conducted through the normal military system nearer to the move of HMS Sultan. Civilian staff currently working at HMS Sultan will transfer across to Metrix at the start of the contract in 2011 and therefore they will be Metrix employees when the move to St Athan occurs in 2015 at the earliest. Civilian staff have yet to be approached to determine who will wish to move to St Athan; that consultation will take place nearer the time.
Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost of moving HMS Sultan School of Navy Engineering to RAF St Athan in Wales. [2206]
Peter Luff [holding answer 14 June 2010]: Under current plans HMS Sultan will be the last training organisation to move to St Athan which will occur by 2020. At this early stage in the development of the project, it is not possible to provide the specific costs relating to the move.
Military Aircraft
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many C-17 Globemaster Aircraft have been delivered for use by the armed forces in the last five years. [2518]
Peter Luff: In the last five years two C-17 Globemaster aircraft have entered service with the RAF. There are a total of six aircraft in service with a seventh expected to enter service in January 2011 against an approved in-service date of May 2011.
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what change there has been in the number of UK military airframes available to commanders in the last three years. [2519]
Peter Luff: Officials are collating the information requested, across the armed forces, and I will write to the hon. Member shortly when this work is complete.
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the seventh C-17 Globemaster 111 aircraft to enter into service. [2542]
Peter Luff: The seventh C-17 Globemaster III aircraft is expected to enter service with the RAF in January 2011 against an approved in-service date of May 2011.
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