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Tri-Service Defence Medical Training Organisation
Baroness Park of Monmouth asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they set up the Defence Medical Training Agency; and, if so, when they set it up, what it cost to set up, and what it costs to run.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe): A tri-Service Defence Medical Training Organisation was established on 1 April 1996 and is currently being reviewed for Agency status.
Army Foundation College
Lord Belhaven and Stenton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What further initiatives they are taking to improve manning in the Army.
Earl Howe: We are determined to reverse the current levels of undermanning in the Armed Forces. We shall accelerate our recruiting efforts, which already show a marked improvement in results over previous years. The Army alone will need up to 17,000 recruits per annum over the next few years.
But numbers are not the only issue. Equally important is the need to attract recruits of the right quality to cope with the complexities of modern warfare, and to provide the highest standards of leadership, for which our forces are rightly renowned and which were previously provided under the Junior Leaders scheme.
To obtain suitable, high quality recruits in sufficient numbers, we propose to supplement our current recruiting methods with a new approach, designed to attract school-leavers of 16 years and over, interested in gaining qualifications and enhanced career opportunities as well as guaranteed employment.
We have decided, therefore, to open a new Army Foundation College in September 1998. It will offer a 42-week Army Foundation Course for soldiers destined for front line roles, combining military and leadership training with vocational education. It will develop key skills in numeracy, communications, IT, personal skills and problem solving, needed for access to national vocational qualifications.
When fully established, the College will accommodate up to 1,300 students. Its graduates will therefore contribute significantly to resolving the Army's manning difficulties. We are confident that many of them will rise to fill key positions, providing the Army with high-quality leadership into the future.
Following the example of other successful defence projects, such as the recent competition for the new Joint Services Command and Staff College, we intend to seek private finance for the college. There is a possible site available at the former Army Apprentices College at Harrogate, which we shall draw to the attention of bidders, but it would not be appropriate to take a firm decision on location at this stage.
The new Army Foundation College will ensure that the Army is well placed to attract the best young men and women into its ranks. It will offer ambitious young people valuable qualifications and one of the most challenging and worthwhile careers in the country today.
Data Protection Legislation: Enforced Subject Access
Baroness Anelay of St. Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What proposals they have in respect of enforced subject access under the Data Protection Act 1984.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch): The Government recognises the objections in principle to enforced subject access. However, this problem cannot be resolved through the Police Bill because the practice affects not only police records but also many social security records and possibly others. Therefore, we intend to include a general solution in the legislation giving effect to the Data Protection Directive. We will first consult employers' organisations and others likely to be affected.
Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989: Report
Lord Dean of Harptree asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they intend to publish the report from
Mr. J. J. Rowe, QC on the operation in 1996 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989.
Baroness Blatch: My right honourable friend has today arranged for copies of Mr. Rowe's report to be placed in the Library. Mr. Rowe recommends that the legislation should be renewed in its entirety for a further 12 months. This is also the Government's view, and a draft order to give effect to this is being laid before the House today.
Ashworth Hospital: Health Advisory Service Review
Lord Harris of Greenwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many members of the Health Advisory Service were involved in the visit to Ashworth Hospital in 1995; what was the duration of their visit; and whether a copy of any report of the visit will be placed in the Library of the House.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege): There were eight members of the team which reviewed Ashworth Special Hospital, including the directors of the NHS Health Advisory Service. The visit took place between 7 and 25 November 1994. The report was published by the then Special Hospitals Service Authority and copies will be placed in the Library.
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