Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 7 June 2011
House of Commons Commission
Manpower
Hugh Bayley: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the full-time equivalent number of staff (a) directly employed by the House of Commons Service and (b) employed by contractors to provide services to the House of Commons including the Police and the Post Office was in (i) 1987, (ii) 1992, (iii) 1997, (iv) 2001, (v) 2005 and (vi) 2010. [57336]
John Thurso: The numbers of full-time equivalent staff directly employed by the House of Commons in financial years 1992-93, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2005-06 and 2010-11 are as follows. Data are not available for 1987-88.
| Financial year | FTEs |
The House does not hold information on the numbers of full-time equivalent staff employed by contractors that provide services to the House.
The information provided excludes the Parliamentary Information and Communication Technology (PICT) department which was created in 2006.
Pay
Hugh Bayley: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many members of staff (a) directly employed by the House of Commons Service and (b) employed by contractors to provide services to the House of Commons, including the Police and the Post Office, were paid more in salaries, overtime and performance awards than a backbench hon. Member in (i) 1987, (ii) 1992, (iii) 1997, (iv) 2001, (v) 2005 and (vi) 2010. [57335]
John Thurso: The number of staff that were paid more in salaries, overtime and performance awards than a backbench hon. Member was 79 in financial year 2005-06 and 87 in financial year 2010-11. Detailed records for earlier years are no longer held. The House does not hold the equivalent information on staff employed by contractors.
The information provided excludes the Parliamentary Information and Communication Technology (PICT) department which was created in 2006.
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Hugh Bayley: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much was paid in total in salaries to (a) House of Commons Service staff and (b) staff employed by contractors to provide services to the House of Commons, including the Police and the Post Office (i) in cash terms and (ii) at constant prices in (A) 1987, (B) 1992, (C) 1997, (D) 2001, (E) 2005 and (F) 2010. [57337]
John Thurso: The total amounts paid in salaries to House of Commons staff in financial years 2001-02, 2005-06 and 2010-11 in cash terms and at constant prices are shown in the following table:
| £ million | |||
|
|
2001-02 | 2005-06 | 2010-11 |
Resource accounts showing salary related details were introduced in 2001-02. The previous cash accounts do not provide this detail.
The information provided excludes the Parliamentary Information and Communication Technology (PICT) department which was created in 2006.
Prime Minister
Devolution: Wales
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Prime Minister what requests he received from (a) members of the Welsh Government and (b) the Secretary of State for Wales between 6 and 20 May 2011 for a meeting to discuss issues relating to Wales. [57722]
The Prime Minister: I spoke to the First Minister on his appointment to congratulate him and commit to regular communication with the Welsh Government about issues which affect the people of Wales. I will be discussing issues relating to Wales with the First Minister of Wales at the forthcoming Joint Ministerial Committee meeting. I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), about issues relating to Wales.
IRA
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will seek an expression of regret or apology from the Government of the Republic of Ireland for any part played by the Republic of Ireland in the arming and financing of the Provisional IRA. [57069]
The Prime Minister: It is for each state to account for its own actions. I and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), continue to discuss with our Irish counterparts what positive role our Governments can play in dealing with Northern Ireland's troubled past.
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Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel were serving (a) abroad and (b) in Afghanistan on (i) 6 May 2010 and (ii) 5 May 2011. [55971]
Nick Harvey: The precise number of personnel overseas fluctuates on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including mid-tour rest and recuperation, temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces, visits and a range of other factors. We do not, therefore, publish actual figures for personnel deployed.
On 6 May 2010, there were around 13,750 military posts established overseas on operations and in April 2010, there were 25,350 military posts established overseas on other tasks. Therefore the total number of military posts established overseas was around 39,100, of which, 9,500 were in Afghanistan.
On 5 May 2011, there were around 14,450 military posts established overseas on operations and in April 2011, there were 24,230 military posts established overseas on other standing tasks. Therefore the total number of military posts established overseas was around 38,680, of which, 9,500 were in Afghanistan. This figure excludes special forces.
Apache AH-64 Helicopter
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has plans to equip Apache helicopters with the Ground Fire Acquisition System. [57875]
Peter Luff: There are no current plans to equip our Apache helicopters with the US Ground Fire Acquisition System. The UK's need for such a system is being addressed as part of our wider defensive aids suite programme. We do not routinely provide details about the defensive aids used by the UK's military aircraft, as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Armed Forces: 2012 Olympics
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assistance he is providing to members of the armed forces to qualify to compete in events in the London 2012 Olympics; and if he will make a statement; [57705]
(2) what assistance he is providing to (a) current and (b) former members of the armed forces to qualify to compete in events in the London 2012 Paralympics; and if he will make a statement. [57706]
Mr Robathan: In terms of participation in sporting events, all service personnel are treated the same, be they able-bodied or disabled, and policies are in place to aid them in volunteering for sporting events, including applications for special paid and/or unpaid leave and taking part in representative sport. Financial assistance in the form of grants from non-public funds can also be awarded. A number of athletes are engaged in full-time training.
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Sport plays an important part in the development of the attributes required in service personnel and has a significant effect upon morale. It provides an inducement to physical fitness and contributes to military effectiveness by encouraging personal qualities such as courage, resilience and esprit de corps.
Fulfilment of sporting expectations is also an important retention and recruitment factor. All members of the armed forces are therefore encouraged to participate in sport in the service.
Assistance to former members of the armed forces to enable them to qualify for the London 2012 Paralympics is provided by their national governing body. This assistance can be supplemented by the Combined Services Adaptive Sports Association (Battle Back—Sport) when required, primarily in the form of grants from non-public funds.
Armed Forces: Absent Voting
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements his Department put in place to enable members of the armed forces serving overseas to vote by post before the May 2011 elections and referendum on the voting system; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of those arrangements. [57561]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Cabinet Office worked with the Electoral Commission, British Forces Post Office (BFPO) and Royal Mail to make specific provision for service personnel in Afghanistan to register to vote and use proxy or postal votes, 281 service personnel chose to use proxy votes, as recommended by the Electoral Commission and MOD. There were 61 new applications made to vote by post through this initiative and 40 completed ballots were returned through the dedicated system. No special services were provided for British Forces in Germany because service personnel there receive a direct daily service. In Cyprus, special arrangements were put in place to return ballot papers via RAF flights into Brize Norton and then subsequently as a priority despatch into the Royal Mail. For other overseas locations, BFPO identified and fast tracked ballot papers when under their control.
The Electoral Commission will be completing a report on the conduct of the referendum and polls on 5 May 2011, and I understand the Commission plan to comment on this initiative in that report.
Armed Forces: Allowances
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria his Department uses to determine who is eligible for the operational allowance. [57593]
Mr Robathan: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon) on 9 May 2011, Official Report, columns 968-69W.
Armed Forces: Complaints
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he has considered the merits of introducing an Armed Forces Ombudsman; [57494]
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(2) whether he has any plans to change the number of investigators in the Service Complaints System. [57495]
Mr Robathan: Both of these ideas were raised in the recently published third report of the Service Complaints Commissioner, therefore, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 May 2011, Official Report, column 869W.
Armed Forces: Dogs
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) dogs and (b) horses are in the service of the armed forces. [57873]
Mr Robathan: There are currently 610 military working dogs and 485 horses in service with the armed forces. There are a further 419 dogs in service with the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency and other guarding organisations.
Armed Forces: Health Services
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military wards there are in NHS hospitals; and in what year each opened. [57693]
Mr Robathan: There is one designated military ward for military casualties aero-medically evacuated back to the UK which is located in the Queen Elizabeth hospital Birmingham (QEHB), opened in June 2010.
We also have arrangements with five NHS trust hospitals for the hosting of Ministry of Defence hospital units (MDHUs) to facilitate continuing training, development and maintenance of clinical skills of military medical personnel.
The locations of the MDHUs are as follows:
Derriford hospital, Plymouth, opened in April 1995;
Frimley Park general hospital, opened in July 1999;
Friarage hospital, Northallerton, opened in July 1999;
Queen Alexandra hospital, Portsmouth, opened in April 2005;
Peterborough city hospital, opened in February 1996.
Armed Forces: Housing
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many service personnel have participated in the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme in each year since its introduction; [57588]
(2) what the budget for the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme (a) has been in each year since its introduction and (b) is for (i) 2011-12 and (ii) 2012-13. [57589]
Mr Robathan: In January 2010 the Ministry of Defence launched the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme (Pilot) after working with the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to develop a pilot, bespoke, shared equity scheme for the armed forces. Some £5 million per year has been allocated, with the pilot running until 2013.
The scheme has proved popular with the target range of more junior personnel (those serving at least four years but no more than six). There have been over 1,000
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eligible applicants in the first year, 165 of whom were financially assessed and actively sought properties. Of these 165, 83 have completed the purchase of a property.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what budget has been set for the armed forces (a) HomeBuy Direct, (b) NewBuild HomeBuy and (c) FirstBuy scheme for 2011-12; whether there is a budget for service personnel under each scheme; and whether each such budget is additional to the budget allocation for the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme. [57689]
Mr Robathan: HomeBuy Direct, NewBuild HomeBuy and FirstBuy are demand-led schemes and as such there is no separate budget for armed forces personnel, but they will receive the highest priority for the schemes.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance he plans to issue to local authorities on ensuring priority access for service personnel to (a) FirstBuy, (b) NewBuild HomeBuy and (c) HomeBuy Direct to service personnel. [57690]
Mr Robathan: None. FirstBuy, shared ownership (NewBuild HomeBuy) and HomeBuy Direct are delivered through the Homes and Communities Agency which is sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The schemes are offered through a network of 15 local HomeBuy agents who provide a one-stop shop for purchasers. HomeBuy agents are tasked with proactively targeting Government priority groups, including service personnel.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is eligible for the armed forces (a) HomeBuy Direct, (b) NewBuild HomeBuy and (c) FirstBuy scheme. [57691]
Mr Robathan: All service personnel, bereaved spouses within the first year of death and all service leavers within their first year of discharge are eligible for top priority under the schemes. They must also meet the schemes’ general criteria, such that they have a household income of less than the current maximum threshold of £60,000 and cannot afford to purchase a home without assistance.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of service personnel who will participate in the (a) HomeBuy Direct, (b) NewBuild HomeBuy and (c) FirstBuy scheme. [57692]
Mr Robathan: No estimate has been made, but we will encourage all eligible personnel to consider these initiatives into home ownership.
Armed Forces: Ombudsman
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on introducing an armed forces ombudsman. [57594]
Mr Robathan:
I have received no representations directly on introducing an armed forces ombudsman. However, this issue was raised in the recently published third
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report of the Service Complaints Commissioner. Our response to this will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.
Armed Forces: Schools
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) service children and (b) children of reservists are being educated in state schools. [57591]
Mr Robathan: The annual schools census was conducted on 20 January 2011. It identified that there are around 36,000 service children currently recorded in England. There is no mechanism to identify how many children of reservists are being educated in state schools.
Armed Forces: Young People
Cathy Jamieson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 417W, on armed forces: young people (1) how many and what proportion of armed service personnel who were recruited before their 18th birthday and were discharged from the armed services have gained (a) an AS or A Level, (b) a BTEC, (c) a Higher National Certificate, (d) a Higher
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National Diploma,
(e)
a national vocational qualification and
(f)
any other recognised qualification while serving in the last five years’ [57451]
(2) how many and what proportion of armed service personnel who were recruited before their 18th birthday were discharged from the armed services having gained a recognised vocational qualification while serving in each of the last five years. [57481]
Mr Robathan: This information is not held in the format requested and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. However, statistics are available on the number of personnel under 18 who registered for an apprenticeship and, separately, on the total number and range of qualifications achieved by armed forces personnel generally in the last five years. This is shown in the following table:
| Number of personnel under 18 when registered for an apprenticeship | |||||
|
|
2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
The qualifications presented in the following table are expressed in accordance with the National Qualification Credits Framework:
| Financial year | |||||
| Type of qualification | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
| (1) Indicates brace Note: The format for the collection of Accreditation Statistics was changed for FY 2008-09 onwards to show levels of accreditation only. | |||||
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 675W, on armed forces: young people, (1) if his Department will commission (a) internal or (b) external legal advice on the recruitment of those under the age of 18 into the armed services in light of recent developments in child welfare and protection; [57452]
(2) if he will commission advice on the legality of recruitment of those under the age of 18 to the armed forces. [57729]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no need nor intention to commission external legal advice on the recruitment of under-18s into the armed forces. The MOD takes advice from its own legal advisers on issues relating to the recruitment of under-18s as the requirement arises. That legal advice is confidential and will not be disclosed. We are satisfied that our policies on under-18s in service are robust and comply with national and international law. In addition to the comprehensive welfare system that is in place for all service personnel, we remain fully committed to meeting our obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, and have taken steps to introduce special safeguards on young people under the age of 18. An example is our recent announcement that for those under the age of 18, the ability to be discharged will in future be a right up to the age of 18, subject to an appropriate period of consideration or cooling off.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 675W, on armed forces: young people, in what year his Department last received (a) internal and (b) external legal advice on the recruitment of those under the age of 18 years into the armed services. [57453]
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Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 675W. It is not possible to ascertain without incurring disproportionate costs what external legal advice was ever received by the Ministry of Defence or its predecessors. However, internal legal advice on this issue constitutes part of normal policy development work within the Department, which is an ongoing process.
Ascension Island: Airports
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the contribution to British military interests of the airport on Ascension Island; what assessment he has made of the potential for the provision of military support to the South Atlantic from an airport on the island of St Helena; and if he will make a statement. [57351]
Nick Harvey: The military airfield on Ascension Island makes a vital contribution to the mission of British Forces South Atlantic Islands as the refuelling stop for the South Atlantic Airbridge and other RAF traffic between the UK and Falkland Islands.
Ascension Island is approximately equidistant from the UK and the Falkland Islands, and the shortest possible route by air; its runway is suitable for all military air traffic which can fly the required range. Plans for an airport on St Helena do not alter these considerations.
Ballistic Missile Defence
Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether RAF Menwith Hill is playing an operational role in US ballistic missile defence. [57245]
Nick Harvey: The only role RAF Menwith Hill plays in US ballistic missile defence is to route satellite early warning data to the US ballistic missile defence command and control system.
Defence Exports Support Group
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2010, Official Report, column 817W, on the Defence Exports Group, what the terms of reference are of the Defence Exports Support Group; on which dates it has met; and who attended each meeting. [58076]
Dr Fox: The terms of reference for the Defence Exports Support Group (DESG) were agreed at its first meeting on 16 December 2010. They are:
Defence Exports Support Group (DESG): Terms of Reference
The DESG is the forum through which Ministers will plan and focus their support to UK defence exports.
Secretary of State for Defence
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology
Minister for International Security Strategy
Head, Defence and Security Organisation, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)
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Other Ministers and/or senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills may attend as appropriate.
The DESG will meet quarterly or as appropriate for business needs.
The first meeting was attended by the Minister for International Security Strategy, Minister for Defence Equipment Support and Technology, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, and Head of UKTI Defence and Security Organisation. In addition to these core members the Chief of Defence Material, Director General Defence Commercial and Director International Acquisition Policy attended from the Ministry of Defence.
Departmental Charitable Donations
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to encourage charitable giving by Ministers in his Department. [57118]
Dr Fox: All Government Ministers have pledged to undertake a ‘one day challenge’ with a charity or community group of their choice. This is a clear and public commitment by Ministers to give their time to help others. The pledge aims to inspire others to consider how they might be able to support their communities to benefit themselves, as well as their chosen organisations.
Departmental Data Protection
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts his Department holds which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; to which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each such contract are held; and how many people have their data stored overseas under each such contract. [55736]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence holds eight contracts where personal data of UK citizens are held overseas. The following table provides the name of the contract, the country in which the data are held and the approximate number of records stored.
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Fitlinxx, which provides fitness training programmes for service personnel, also hold a contract that allows for personal data of UK citizens to be held in the US. I will write to my hon. Friend with details of the number of records held once this information is available, and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
Substantive answer from Peter Luff to Eric Ollerenshaw:
Further to my answer to your Parliamentary Question on 24 May 2011 (Official Report, column 531W-532W), I am writing to inform you the Fitlinxx contract involves the storage of 6,000 personal records in the USA.
I hope this is helpful.
I have placed a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.
Departmental Land
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what land his Department proposes to sell in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15. [57597]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence keeps its estate under constant review to meet present and planned future requirements, with a view to disposing of surplus assets as quickly as possible. A list of the sites in the present programme and those earmarked for future disposal has been placed in the Library of the House.
Work is under way to identify additional estate rationalisation opportunities in accordance with the Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2011, Official Report, column 568W, on departmental land, when he plans to place in the Library a copy of the list of land sold by his Department in 2010-11. [57631]
Mr Robathan: A copy of the list of land sold by this Department in 2010-11 has been placed in the Library of the House.
Departmental Manpower
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to publish monthly information on changes in the numbers of his Department's employees categorised by (a) seniority, (b) number of employees taking voluntary redundancy, (c) natural wastage and (d) involuntary redundancy. [57614]
Mr Robathan: The Government are committed to transparency and the availability of data and are currently exploring options for the more frequent publication of this type of workforce management information across the civil service.
Ministry of Defence (MOD) Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) already publish periodic reports on MOD personnel numbers on its internet site at:
www.dasa.mod.uk
The UK Armed Forces Quarterly Manning Report sets out the number of personnel leaving the armed forces broken down by reason. A copy of the latest version of the report has been placed in the Library of the House.
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The DASA site also contains the civilian personnel statistics quarterly return. Although this report does not currently contain all the information requested for civilian employees, its content has recently been reviewed and changes will be introduced for future editions. Those changes will include numbers leaving the civil service and the reasons for doing so.
Departmental Official Visits
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what official visits Ministers in his Department have undertaken since their appointment; and what the purpose was of each such visit. [56158]
Dr Fox: Ministers are routinely required to undertake formal visits, both in the UK and overseas, as part of their ministerial responsibilities.
Accordingly, Ministers have undertaken formal visits since their appointments, details of which have been placed in the Library of the House.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the result was of the inquiry into the unauthorised disclosure to the Prime Minister in September 2010 of his letter on reductions to his Department’s budget; and if he will make a statement. [57653]
Dr Fox: The investigation remains open. I am not prepared to comment further.
Departmental Responsibilities
Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what engagements he has undertaken in (a) the UK and (b) overseas in the last three months. [40787]
Dr Fox: Details of my overseas travel, received hospitality and meetings with organisations external to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are published on a quarterly basis on the MOD website as part of the Government’s Transparency Agenda, at the following address:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinancialReports/Expenses/MinistersHospitalityReceived.htm
The information regarding my engagements in the UK for the last three months is currently being collated and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.
Substantive answer from Liam Fox to Gemma Doyle:
I write in reply to your written parliamentary question:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what engagements he has undertaken in (a) the UK and (b) overseas in the last three months.
I answered at the time that details of my overseas travel, received hospitality, and meetings with organisations external to the Ministry of Defence are published on a quarterly basis on the Ministry of Defence website as part of the Government's Transparency Agenda, and that I would write to you with details of my UK engagements.
A full list of my UK engagements has now been collated and is tabled as follows.
For the purposes of this question 'engagements in the UK' has been defined as meetings outside of the Ministry of Defence not including dinners, speeches, or receptions.
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| Date | Place | Meeting |
DM Beith
Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans his Department has for the future ownership of DM Beith; [56930]
(2) what assessment he has made of the long-term strategic requirement for DM Beith; [56931]
(3) if he will reinstate a revised apprentice training programme at DM Beith; [56932]
(4) if he will assess the likely effects on DM Beith of his Department's Voluntary Early Release Scheme. [56933]
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Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence will continue to require the maintenance, storage and distribution functions at Defence Munitions Beith in the near to medium term, but is continuing to assess possible options for the depot in the longer term. The future ownership of Beith will depend on the outcome of this work, which is taking into account our strategic requirement, value for money, and the linkage with associated industrial strategies, including the team complex weapons initiative. No decisions have yet been taken. The trade unions will be consulted formally at the appropriate time.
There are currently no plans to re-instate the apprentice training scheme at Beith. Any re-instatement would depend on the Department's business needs in the longer term and would take account of the decisions on the future operation of the depot.
The Ministry of Defence's Voluntary Early Release Scheme (VERS) closed on 31 March 2011. Applications under the scheme are still under consideration across the Department and, as a result, I cannot comment specifically on the position with respect to Beith. However, as my right hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Personnel Welfare and Veterans (Mr Robathan) stated in the answer given on 26 April 2011, Official Report, column 70W, to the right hon. Member for East Renfrewshire (Mr Murphy), when introducing the VERS we recognised the need to implement it in such a way as to retain critical skills. Location is also a factor in selecting individuals for release.
HMS Ark Royal
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the total cost to his Department of the operation of HMS Ark Royal in 2010. [56772]
Nick Harvey: Operating costs are accounted for by financial year (FY). The operating costs for HMS Ark Royal for FY 2010-11 totalled £35 million. This includes pay and allowances, fuel, stock, and port fees.
Libya: Armed Conflict
Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the average weekly accommodation cost for personnel deployed in Italy to participate in Operation Ellamy has been since the start of the operation; [54501]
(2) what the average weekly cost for all UK armed forces operations from Gioia del Colle air base has been since the commencement of military operations; and how much has been spent per week on (a) personnel accommodation, (b) personal allowances, (c) fuel, (d) rent and (e) each other cost. [54502]
Nick Harvey: I expect the cost of the UK’s involvement in NATO operations over Libya to be modest in comparison to other operations such as Afghanistan. While it is still too early to give a robust estimate of the final costs, I can provide initial indications of average accommodation, allowances, munitions and fuel costs.
We maintain a small presence in Naples and Poggio but the majority of the UK personnel in Italy are based at Gioia Del Colle air base and Trapani naval base. The
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average weekly total cost of accommodation at Gioia Del Colle, Trapani and Poggio is around £240,000, £33,000 and £12,000 respectively.
There are two types of personal allowance paid to service personnel in Italy. Longer separation allowance (LSA) is paid on an accrual basis for military personnel separated from their families and will continue to be paid for the duration of the operation. The total cost of LSA in Italy is around £120,000 per week.
Local overseas allowance (LOA) is paid for personnel on operations before a complete welfare package has been set up, as is currently the case in Poggio and Naples. The total cost of LOA in Italy is around £11,000 per week.
The gross book value (inclusive of VAT) of precision guided weapons fired in support of Operation Ellamy between 19 March and 8 May this year was around £6 million per week. Where there is sufficient contingency within current stock holdings to meet anticipated requirements for current and contingent operations, the Ministry of Defence does not intend to replenish all stocks of weapons deployed. We therefore cannot say at this stage how much of this sum will contribute to the charge against the Government Special Reserve.
Aviation fuel costs average around £300,000 per week, although they vary significantly week by week.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Brimstone missiles used as part of Operation Ellamy are to be replaced. [57654]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence is planning to replenish stocks of the dual-mode seeker Brimstone missiles as a result of their use in Operation Ellamy. In the meantime, there are sufficient stockholdings to meet anticipated demand for operations.
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the purchase cost of each Brimstone missile is. [57655]
Peter Luff: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 May 2011, Official Report, columns 111-12W, to the hon. Member for Ochil and South Perthshire (Gordon Banks).
Military Aircraft
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the mission accomplished rate was in Afghanistan for the (a) Tornado GR4 and (b) Harrier GR9 in the latest period for which figures are available. [56689]
Nick Harvey: ‘Mission accomplished' is not a term employed in mission reports as whether the desired effect of a given sortie has been achieved may not often be immediately apparent—for instance, if the aircraft had attacked a target, further analysis may be necessary to determine the extent of the resulting damage. Aircraft may also fulfil other tasks, for instance reconnaissance or deterrence, and indeed conduct multiple tasks on the same mission, further complicating the assessment of the results of an individual sortie. Therefore there is no common definition of a mission accomplished rate and this information is not held.
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Military Alliances
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which countries the UK has signed a (a) defence treaty, (b) formal agreement, (c) Memorandum of Understanding and (d) Letter of Intent in each of the last 10 years. [57710]
Nick Harvey: The following lists set out countries with which the UK has signed defence treaties, formal agreements and bilateral memorandums of understanding for each year from 2001 to 2010 inclusive:
Defence treaties and formal agreements
Russian federation
Japan
Russian Federation
United States of America
France
Germany
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
United States of America
Belgium
France
Germany
Italy
United States of America
Canada
The Netherlands
Poland
France
The Netherlands
United States of America
France
Japan
Iraq
Japan
Republic of Korea
Spain
Brazil
France
No distinction is made between treaties and formal agreements, which are both regarded as legally binding. Records of all treaties and formal agreements signed by the United Kingdom are held by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Treaty section.
Signed bilateral Defence Memoranda of Understanding:
Argentina
Australia
Bulgaria
Canada
7 Jun 2011 : Column 17W
Czech Republic
Denmark
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
India
Italy
Latvia
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Portugal
Russian Federation
Serbia and Montenegro
Sierra Leone
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Switzerland
Ukraine
United States of America
Australia
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Germany
Hungary
Ireland
Jamaica
Jordan
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Serbia and Montenegro
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
United States of America
Albania
Australia
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canada
Chile
People's Republic of China
Denmark
Georgia
Germany
7 Jun 2011 : Column 18W
Italy
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Lithuania
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Russian Federation
Serbia and Montenegro
Singapore
Slovenia
South Africa
Switzerland
United States of America
Uzbekistan
Armenia
Australia
Azerbaijan
Belize
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Czech Republic
Estonia
France
Georgia
Germany
Hungary
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Libya
Moldova
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Poland
Romania
Russian Federation
Serbia and Montenegro
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
South Africa
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Ukraine
United States of America
Uzbekistan
Afghanistan
Australia
Austria
Bulgaria
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
7 Jun 2011 : Column 19W
Lithuania
The Netherlands
Norway
Pakistan
Qatar
Romania
Senegal
South Africa
Switzerland
The Gambia
Turkey
United States of America
Australia
Austria
Brunei
Canada
Croatia
Denmark
Estonia
Israel
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Lebanon
Lithuania
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Qatar
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
United States of America
Albania
Australia
Bulgaria
Canada
Colombia
Curacao
Czech Republic
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Lithuania
Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia
Malawi
The Netherlands
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
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United States of America
Australia
Republic of Congo
Denmark
Estonia
Germany
Italy
Jordan
The Netherlands
Nigeria
Norway
Qatar
Rwanda
Senegal
Slovenia
South Africa
Sweden
United States of America
Algeria
Australia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brunei
Canada
Cape Verde Islands
Croatia
Denmark
Egypt
Estonia
Ethiopia
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Republic of Kosovo
Libya
Liechtenstein
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Romania
Serbia
Spain
Turkey
Ukraine
United States of America
Canada
Ethiopia
Finland
Iraq
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
New Zealand
The Netherlands
Portugal
Qatar
Tonga
7 Jun 2011 : Column 21W
Uganda
Ukraine
United States of America
More than one Memorandum of Understanding was signed with some countries in a year.
Letters of Intent were signed with France in 2003, 2007 and 2010. However, more complete records of Letters of Intent signed by the UK with other countries in the last 10 years are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Military Bases
Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 15 November 2010, Official Report, column 562W, on military bases, who carried out the assessment of the local economic impact of RAF Menwith Hill; and what methodology was used. [57168]
Nick Harvey: The local economic impact assessment of RAF Menwith Hill was carried out by the US authorities, and included the salaries of US and UK personnel as well as the cost of construction projects, utilities, local supply purchases, and visitor lodging, meals and incidentals.
Military Police: Deployment
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at which sites Ministry of Defence Police are deployed; and what the responsibilities are of the personnel at each site. [57590]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) are the UK's only truly national police force, covering the four constituent parts of the country. The force's main responsibilities are to protect the personnel, resources and property of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) through the use of a variety of policing methods. These include community policing, armed guarding, specialist firearms units, nuclear escorts on land and sea, operational support units, the UK's largest marine policing capability, public order policing, criminal investigation including fraud and intelligence.
The use of the above functions varies from site to site in accordance with local requirements and the associated risk/threat. Sites covered include selected naval bases, garrisons, Atomic Weapons Establishments, US Visiting Forces sites, and non-MOD locations.
MDP officers may also volunteer for overseas duties in support of UK missions. They provide specialist training, support, monitoring and mentoring to local law enforcement and government agencies.
Stations by Division (Excluding CID and Defence Community Police Officers)
1. Clyde
2. Clyde Marine Unit
3. Coulport
4. Beith
5. Crombie
6. Glen Douglas
7. Aberdeen Gas Compressor Site
7 Jun 2011 : Column 22W
8. St Fergus
9. Caledonia
10. Vulcan
1. Alconbury
2. Croughton
3. Fylingdales
4. Menwith Hill
5. Mildenhall
6. Easington
7. Bacton
8. MDPHQ Operational Detachment (Under Command of Operational Support MDPHQ)
1. Aldermaston
2. Burghfield
3. Special Escort Group
1. Beaconsfield
2. Bicester
3. Bordon
4. Fort Halstead
5. Fort Blockhouse
6. Gosport
7. Marchwood
8. Oakhanger
9. Portsmouth
10. Regents Park
11. Shrivenham
12. Whitehall
1. Abbey Wood
2. Boscombe Down
3. Corsham
4. Culdrose
5. Dartmouth
6. Devonport
7. Donnington
8. Fairford
9. Hereford
10. Kineton
11. Llantrisant
12. Porton Down
13. Winterbourne Gunner
14. Yeovilton
Criminal Investigation Departments (CID)
1. Rosyth (based at HMS Caledonia)
2. Glasgow
3. Clyde
4. Northern Ireland (Palace Barracks)
5. Catterick Garrison
6. York (Imphal Barracks)
7. Stafford
8. St. Athan
9. Bicester
10. Northolt
11. Aldermaston
12. Foxhill
13. Larkhill
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14. Portsmouth
15. Gosport
16. Bordon
17. Devonport
18. Aldershot Garrison
Defence Community Police Officers by Division
1. Aldergrove
2. Abercorn Barracks (Ballykinler)
3. Churchill Estate (Clyde)
4. Condor
5. Edinburgh
6. Inverness
7. Glencorse Barracks
8. Palace Barracks
1. Albemarle Barracks
2. Bassingbourn Barracks
3. Chester
4. Colchester
5. Coningsby
6. Croughton
7. Harrogate
8. Mildenhall
9. Leconfield
10. Leeming
11. Menwith Hill
12. Preston
13. Wattisham
14. Wittering
15. York
1. Aldershot
2. Andover
3. Arborfield
4. Benson
5. Bicester
6. Brize Norton
7. Chatham
8. Deepcut
9. Halton
10. London
11. Marchwood
12. Sandhurst
13. Shorncliffe
14. Winchester
1. Abbey Wood
2. Blandford
3. Bovington
4. Bramcote
5. Brecon
6. Bulford
7. Corsham
8. Devonport
9. Donnington
10. Hereford
11. Innsworth
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12. Larkhill
13. Lichfield
14. Lyneham
15. Poole
16. Raleigh
17. St. Athan
18. Salisbury Plain
19. Stafford
20. Tidworth
21. Tern Hill
22. Yeovilton
23. Valley
24. Warminster
25. Wilton
Military Targets
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what definition of the words (a) “infrastructure” and (b) “command and control” his Department uses when using such terms to describe military targets. [56720]
Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence does not use its own definition of ‘infrastructure’ and ‘military command and control’ to describe military targets. In both cases, The Oxford English Dictionary provides a reasonable definition for military purposes.
‘Infrastructure’ is ‘the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a(n) ... enterprise’. In this case, the ‘enterprise’ would be armed forces and any building or facilities that are dedicated to their use, or otherwise involved in directly enabling their operations, might be considered a legitimate target.
‘Command and control’ is defined as ‘the running of an armed force or other organization’. Therefore any structure or capability that is involved in, or enables, the direction of armed forces might be considered as a command and control target.
Navy: Catering
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average daily cost to the public purse for food and drink for serving members of the Royal Navy at each rank on active service was in the latest period for which figures are available. [58152]
Mr Robathan: For Royal Navy (RN), Royal Marines (RM) and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) personnel deployed at sea in the surface and sub-surface fleets, daily messing rates (DMR) are applied. DMRs are the cost of ingredients based upon bespoke ration scales; the rates are adjusted quarterly to reflect food cost inflation. DMRs cover the cost of providing ingredients for three meals a day including beverages, but exclude the cost of logistics or food preparation.
The current minimum DMR for personnel at sea is £2.46. All ranks receive the same rate, but the DMR is adjusted according to the number of personnel in the ship's company, and its role, which can raise the total DMR to a maximum of £3.36 per person per day.
The cost of food for RN, RM and RFA personnel deployed at sea in financial year 2010-11 was £15.9 million, an average daily cost of £43,560.
7 Jun 2011 : Column 25W
Public Expenditure: DFID
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to establish an inquiry into the unauthorised disclosure of his letter to the Prime Minister concerning the budget for the Department for International Development; and if he will make a statement. [57592]
Dr Fox: Internal action has been taken following allegations in the media. I am not prepared to comment further.
Space Technology: Surveillance
Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the GEO-1 satellite will provide data to RAF Menwith Hill. [57166]
Nick Harvey: RAF Menwith Hill acts purely as a communications relay for GEO-1 satellite data. The data are not utilised on site.
St Helena: Airports
Bob Russell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make arrangements to provide extra passenger capacity on military flights between the UK and the Falkland Islands to assist personnel engaged in
7 Jun 2011 : Column 26W
the construction of an airport on the island of St Helena to disembark on Ascension Island for onward sea connection; and if he will make a statement. [57352]
Nick Harvey: We make provision for civilian seating and freight capacity on the South Atlantic Airbridge, which operates from the UK, via Ascension Island, to the Falkland Islands in support of British Forces South Atlantic Islands.
We would expect in due course to accommodate any requirement relating to the construction of an airport on St Helena within this provision.
Third Sector
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department provided to each charity it funds in each of the last five years; and how much he has allocated for funding to each such charity in each of the next five years. [48289]
Mr Robathan: Funding provided through grants in aid to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in each of the last five years for which figures are currently available is shown in the following table. A grant in aid is typically used to fund part or all of the administration costs of the recipient body.
| Grant in aid | |||||
| £ | |||||
| Body | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
| (1) Not available. (2) Funded through the National Museum of the Royal Navy. | |||||
We also provide funding to charities through grants (for specific purposes) and commercial contractual arrangements (for specific services). A breakdown of the expenditure incurred could be provided only at disproportionate cost as these funding mechanisms are delegated locally and we do not currently identify discretely
7 Jun 2011 : Column 27W
those grants and contracts which relate to charities. Details of all new central Government contracts are, however, now available online at:
www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk
I will write to the hon. Member to provide information on grant in aid funding for 2010-11, and on currently planned funding over the spending review period (up to 2014-15), once the details have been finalised for all bodies, which should be before the Whitsun recess.
7 Jun 2011 : Column 28W
I apologise for the delay in answering this question.
Substantive answer from Andrew Robathan to Chris Ruane:
I undertook to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Question (Official Report of 9 May 2011, columns 974 to 976W) to provide the balance of information on the funding of charities by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
The provisional outturn for 2010-11 and our current funding plans over the Spending Review period are shown for each body in the following table:
| Body | Grant in aid (£) 2010-11 | 2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
| (1) The National Museum of the Royal Navy provides funding to the Fleet Air Museum, the Royal Marines Museum, the Royal Navy Museum and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. | |||||