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638072

registered interest
date	16/11/2016
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2016 to Question 50804, what information his Department holds on the number of its apprentices who went on to secure permanent positions within the Civil Service in each year from 2011 to date.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	53388
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2016 answer text <p>Since 2011, the Ministry of Defence has created 771 Civil Service apprenticeships. Information on subsequent permanent employment in the Civil Service is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 23/11/2016 16:42:49 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

622539

registered interest
date	27/10/2016
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Apprentices
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many apprenticeships have been created in his Department in each region in each of the last five years; and how many participants in those apprenticeships subsequently secured a job within the Civil Service.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	50804
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2016 answer text <p>This information is not held in the format requested. The Cabinet Office is currently coordinating a detailed data collection from across Government including the apprenticeship type, region of work, as well as demographic data and socio-economic background. This will allow the Civil Service to report on its contribution towards the national target. Information on the number of apprenticeships created in the Ministry of Defence in each of the last five years is shown below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>2015-16</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Number of Apprenticeships</p></td><td><p>55</p></td><td><p>68</p></td><td><p>121</p></td><td><p>181</p></td><td><p>346</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Armed Forces are the biggest provider of apprenticeships within the UK. Completion rates for Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships in the Armed Forces by Academic Year for 2011-12 and 2012-13 are shown below.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Level 2 Apprenticeships - 1 August 2011- 31 July 2012</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Level 2 Apprenticeships - 1 August 2012- 31 July 2013</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Level 3 Apprenticeships - 1 August 2011- 31 July 2012</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Level 3 Apprenticeships - 1 August 2012- 31 July 2013</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Army</strong></p></td><td><p>4,507</p></td><td><p>3,116</p></td><td><p>1,682</p></td><td><p>1,763</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Royal Navy</strong></p></td><td><p>2,182</p></td><td><p>2,006</p></td><td><p>339</p></td><td><p>334</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Royal Air Force</strong></p></td><td><p>764</p></td><td><p>693</p></td><td><p>665</p></td><td><p>618</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>7,864*</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>5,891*</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>3,134*</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2,893*</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>*total numbers include apprenticeships completed by Service personnel.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 04/11/2016 13:52:29 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

443418

registered interest
date	08/01/2016
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Army
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the regular army's shortfall against (a) trained strength requirement and (b) its recruitment intake target has been in each of the last 10 years.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	21668
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2016 answer text <p>Defence Statistics publish information on a regular basis showing the Army’s Regular liability and trained strength.</p><br /><p>The most recent information is contained in ‘UK Armed Forces Monthly Service Personnel Statistics December 2015’ and associated tables which is available at the following link:</p><br /><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-armed-forces-monthly-service-personnel-statistics-index" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-armed-forces-monthly-service-personnel-statistics-index</a></p><br /><p>Figures for the last ten years for the Regular Army, may be found in Quarterly Performance Reports, including those at the following links:</p><br /><p>Quarterly Personnel Report – 1 April 2015 (for 2010/11 to 2014/15)</p><br /><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-quarterly-personnel-report-2015" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-quarterly-personnel-report-2015#</a></p><br /><p>Quarterly Personnel Report – 1 April 2012 (for 2007/08 to 2009/10)</p><br /><p><a href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140116142443/http:/www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php/publications/personnel/military/quarterly-personnel-report/2012-04-01" target="_blank">http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140116142443/http://www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php/publications/personnel/military/quarterly-personnel-report/2012-04-01</a></p><br /><p>Quarterly Personnel Report – 1 April 2009 (for 2005 to 2007)</p><br /><p><a href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140116142443/http:/www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php/publications/personnel/military/quarterly-personnel-report/2009-04-01" target="_blank">http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140116142443/http://www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php/publications/personnel/military/quarterly-personnel-report/2009-04-01</a></p><br /><p>Official statistics for Regular recruitment targets are not produced.</p> answering member constituency Portsmouth North answering member printed Penny Mordaunt question first answered 15/01/2016 13:34:38 answering member 4017 label Biography information for Penny Mordaunt
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

442283

registered interest
date	04/01/2016
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Furs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the expected lifespan of each bearskin and other associated headgear containing real fur used by his Department is before replacement is required.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	20780
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/01/2016 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not buy bear pelts; it buys ceremonial caps direct from suppliers who source pelts from animals culled as part of a programme to manage the wild population licensed by the Canadian government. Animal welfare standards relating to the bear cull are a matter for the Canadian government.</p><br /> <br /><p>The MOD also purchases coney skin (rabbit fur) for the Royal Engineers’ and Royal Signals’ busby and fox fur for the Royal Horse Artillery, Kings Troop Officers’ busby. The current contract requires a commitment to sustainable procurement.</p><br /><p>Depending on usage and maintenance, bearskin busbys can last for up to 50 years. The coney skin and fox fur busbys have indefinite lifespans if properly maintained.</p><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Bearskin Busby Headgear (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Coney Skin Busby Headgear (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Fox </strong><strong>Fur Busby Headgear(£)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>1,532</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1,472</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>31,319</p></td><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>9,173</p></td><td><p>406</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>148,891</p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>131,886</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>90,822</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>861</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>126,087</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>1,779</p></td><td><p>861</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>65,108</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>136,671</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>10,257</p></td><td><p>1,899</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>149,379</p></td><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>2,558</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>All figures are rounded to the nearest pound.</p><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Bearskin Busby Headgear</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Coney Skin Busby Headgear</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Busby Headgear made of Fox Fur </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>35</p></td><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>22</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>195</p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>158</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>99</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>126</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>63</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>127</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>122</p></td><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><p>Historically the MOD has undertaken a number of trials on synthetic alternatives to bear skin but none of these matched the properties of the natural material. No trialling has taken place since 2007. Information about costs of these trials is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In 2012 the Ministry of Defence loaned a sample bearskin to the animal rights organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, to aid its research and development programme on a synthetic alternative.</p><br /><p>There has been no research and development carried out to find a synthetic alternative to coney skin or fox fur.</p><br /> answering member constituency Ludlow answering member printed Mr Philip Dunne grouped question UIN 20778 20779 20781 20783 question first answered 12/01/2016 17:34:26 answering member 1542 label Biography information for Philip Dunne
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

442284

registered interest
date	04/01/2016
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Furs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many bearskins and other associated headgear containing real fur his Department purchased in each of the last 10 years.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	20778
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/01/2016 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not buy bear pelts; it buys ceremonial caps direct from suppliers who source pelts from animals culled as part of a programme to manage the wild population licensed by the Canadian government. Animal welfare standards relating to the bear cull are a matter for the Canadian government.</p><br /> <br /><p>The MOD also purchases coney skin (rabbit fur) for the Royal Engineers’ and Royal Signals’ busby and fox fur for the Royal Horse Artillery, Kings Troop Officers’ busby. The current contract requires a commitment to sustainable procurement.</p><br /><p>Depending on usage and maintenance, bearskin busbys can last for up to 50 years. The coney skin and fox fur busbys have indefinite lifespans if properly maintained.</p><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Bearskin Busby Headgear (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Coney Skin Busby Headgear (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Fox </strong><strong>Fur Busby Headgear(£)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>1,532</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1,472</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>31,319</p></td><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>9,173</p></td><td><p>406</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>148,891</p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>131,886</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>90,822</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>861</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>126,087</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>1,779</p></td><td><p>861</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>65,108</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>136,671</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>10,257</p></td><td><p>1,899</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>149,379</p></td><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>2,558</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>All figures are rounded to the nearest pound.</p><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Bearskin Busby Headgear</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Coney Skin Busby Headgear</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Busby Headgear made of Fox Fur </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>35</p></td><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>22</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>195</p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>158</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>99</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>126</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>63</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>127</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>122</p></td><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><p>Historically the MOD has undertaken a number of trials on synthetic alternatives to bear skin but none of these matched the properties of the natural material. No trialling has taken place since 2007. Information about costs of these trials is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In 2012 the Ministry of Defence loaned a sample bearskin to the animal rights organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, to aid its research and development programme on a synthetic alternative.</p><br /><p>There has been no research and development carried out to find a synthetic alternative to coney skin or fox fur.</p><br /> answering member constituency Ludlow answering member printed Mr Philip Dunne grouped question UIN 20779 20780 20781 20783 question first answered 12/01/2016 17:34:26 answering member 1542 label Biography information for Philip Dunne
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

442286

registered interest
date	04/01/2016
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Furs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on research and development to find a synthetic alternative to bear pelts for the making of bearskins and other associated headgear containing real fur in each of the last 10 years.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	20783
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/01/2016 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not buy bear pelts; it buys ceremonial caps direct from suppliers who source pelts from animals culled as part of a programme to manage the wild population licensed by the Canadian government. Animal welfare standards relating to the bear cull are a matter for the Canadian government.</p><br /> <br /><p>The MOD also purchases coney skin (rabbit fur) for the Royal Engineers’ and Royal Signals’ busby and fox fur for the Royal Horse Artillery, Kings Troop Officers’ busby. The current contract requires a commitment to sustainable procurement.</p><br /><p>Depending on usage and maintenance, bearskin busbys can last for up to 50 years. The coney skin and fox fur busbys have indefinite lifespans if properly maintained.</p><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Bearskin Busby Headgear (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Coney Skin Busby Headgear (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Fox </strong><strong>Fur Busby Headgear(£)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>1,532</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1,472</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>31,319</p></td><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>9,173</p></td><td><p>406</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>148,891</p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>131,886</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>90,822</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>861</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>126,087</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>1,779</p></td><td><p>861</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>65,108</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>136,671</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>10,257</p></td><td><p>1,899</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>149,379</p></td><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>2,558</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>All figures are rounded to the nearest pound.</p><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Bearskin Busby Headgear</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Coney Skin Busby Headgear</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Busby Headgear made of Fox Fur </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>35</p></td><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>22</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>195</p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>158</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>99</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>126</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>63</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>127</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>122</p></td><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><p>Historically the MOD has undertaken a number of trials on synthetic alternatives to bear skin but none of these matched the properties of the natural material. No trialling has taken place since 2007. Information about costs of these trials is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In 2012 the Ministry of Defence loaned a sample bearskin to the animal rights organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, to aid its research and development programme on a synthetic alternative.</p><br /><p>There has been no research and development carried out to find a synthetic alternative to coney skin or fox fur.</p><br /> answering member constituency Ludlow answering member printed Mr Philip Dunne grouped question UIN 20778 20779 20780 20781 question first answered 12/01/2016 17:34:26 answering member 1542 label Biography information for Philip Dunne
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

442288

registered interest
date	04/01/2016
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Furs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department spent on purchasing bearskins and other associated headgear containing real fur in each of the last 10 years.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	20779
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/01/2016 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not buy bear pelts; it buys ceremonial caps direct from suppliers who source pelts from animals culled as part of a programme to manage the wild population licensed by the Canadian government. Animal welfare standards relating to the bear cull are a matter for the Canadian government.</p><br /> <br /><p>The MOD also purchases coney skin (rabbit fur) for the Royal Engineers’ and Royal Signals’ busby and fox fur for the Royal Horse Artillery, Kings Troop Officers’ busby. The current contract requires a commitment to sustainable procurement.</p><br /><p>Depending on usage and maintenance, bearskin busbys can last for up to 50 years. The coney skin and fox fur busbys have indefinite lifespans if properly maintained.</p><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Bearskin Busby Headgear (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Coney Skin Busby Headgear (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Fox </strong><strong>Fur Busby Headgear(£)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>1,532</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1,472</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>31,319</p></td><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>9,173</p></td><td><p>406</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>148,891</p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>131,886</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>90,822</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>861</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>126,087</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>1,779</p></td><td><p>861</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>65,108</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>136,671</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>10,257</p></td><td><p>1,899</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>149,379</p></td><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>2,558</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>All figures are rounded to the nearest pound.</p><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Bearskin Busby Headgear</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Coney Skin Busby Headgear</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Busby Headgear made of Fox Fur </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>35</p></td><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>22</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>195</p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>158</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>99</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>126</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>63</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>127</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>122</p></td><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><p>Historically the MOD has undertaken a number of trials on synthetic alternatives to bear skin but none of these matched the properties of the natural material. No trialling has taken place since 2007. Information about costs of these trials is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In 2012 the Ministry of Defence loaned a sample bearskin to the animal rights organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, to aid its research and development programme on a synthetic alternative.</p><br /><p>There has been no research and development carried out to find a synthetic alternative to coney skin or fox fur.</p><br /> answering member constituency Ludlow answering member printed Mr Philip Dunne grouped question UIN 20778 20780 20781 20783 question first answered 12/01/2016 17:34:26 answering member 1542 label Biography information for Philip Dunne
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

442289

registered interest
date	04/01/2016
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Furs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the prevailing animal welfare standards of the bear cull in Canada that provides pelts for the making of bearskins and other associated headgear containing real fur by use by the British armed forces.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	20781
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/01/2016 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not buy bear pelts; it buys ceremonial caps direct from suppliers who source pelts from animals culled as part of a programme to manage the wild population licensed by the Canadian government. Animal welfare standards relating to the bear cull are a matter for the Canadian government.</p><br /> <br /><p>The MOD also purchases coney skin (rabbit fur) for the Royal Engineers’ and Royal Signals’ busby and fox fur for the Royal Horse Artillery, Kings Troop Officers’ busby. The current contract requires a commitment to sustainable procurement.</p><br /><p>Depending on usage and maintenance, bearskin busbys can last for up to 50 years. The coney skin and fox fur busbys have indefinite lifespans if properly maintained.</p><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Bearskin Busby Headgear (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Coney Skin Busby Headgear (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Cost of Fox </strong><strong>Fur Busby Headgear(£)</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>1,532</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1,472</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>31,319</p></td><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>9,173</p></td><td><p>406</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>148,891</p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>131,886</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>90,822</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>861</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>126,087</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>1,779</p></td><td><p>861</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>65,108</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>136,671</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>10,257</p></td><td><p>1,899</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>149,379</p></td><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>2,558</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>All figures are rounded to the nearest pound.</p><br /><br /><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Calendar Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Bearskin Busby Headgear</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Coney Skin Busby Headgear</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Busby Headgear made of Fox Fur </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2005</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2005-06</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2006</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2006-07</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2007</p></td><td><p>Not held</p></td><td><p>2007-08</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>35</p></td><td><p>2008-09</p></td><td><p>22</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>195</p></td><td><p>2009-10</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>158</p></td><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>99</p></td><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>126</p></td><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>63</p></td><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>0</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>127</p></td><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>122</p></td><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>5</p></td><td><p>0</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><p>Historically the MOD has undertaken a number of trials on synthetic alternatives to bear skin but none of these matched the properties of the natural material. No trialling has taken place since 2007. Information about costs of these trials is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In 2012 the Ministry of Defence loaned a sample bearskin to the animal rights organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, to aid its research and development programme on a synthetic alternative.</p><br /><p>There has been no research and development carried out to find a synthetic alternative to coney skin or fox fur.</p><br /> answering member constituency Ludlow answering member printed Mr Philip Dunne grouped question UIN 20778 20779 20780 20783 question first answered 12/01/2016 17:34:26 answering member 1542 label Biography information for Philip Dunne
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

438897

registered interest
date	16/12/2015
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Part 1 of the Education and Skills Act 2008, what assessment he has made of whether all armed forces personnel aged 16 and 17 are able to study for 280 guided learning hours per year towards accredited qualifications.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	20347
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2016 answer text <br /><p>The Armed Forces meet the requirement of Raising the Participation Age, as defined in the Education and Skills Act 2008.</p><p>In the Naval Service, all new recruits, whether Royal Navy or Royal Marines and irrespective of age, undertake a Level 2 accredited apprenticeship. This is as part of Phase 2 training for the Royal Navy and Phase 1 training for the Royal Marines.</p><p>The Army provides full-time training and education to all recruits aged 16 and 17, largely through the Junior Entry courses at Army Foundation College, Harrogate.</p><p>All non-commissioned Royal Air Force recruits, regardless of their age, are enrolled onto a Level 2, Level 3 or Level 4 accredited apprenticeship according to their Trade.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 07/01/2016 16:21:52 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

423777

registered interest
date	26/10/2015
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answers of 15 April 2013, Official Report, column 56W, 7 July 2015 to Question 4788, 10 September 2015 to Question 8831 and 17 September 2015 to Question 10215, for what reasons figures on the number of army and RAF visits to schools in the academic year 2011-12 given in Answers in 2015 differ from those provided by his Department in the Answer of 15 April 2013; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Stockton North
tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
uin	13256
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/11/2015 answer text <p>The RAF statistics for the year 2011-12 provided in the answer of 15 April 2013 was collected manually from all Armed Forces Careers Offices by the RAF. The statistics provided to answer Question 4788 were collected from the computer system called ICARAS.</p><p>For the RAF, prior to January 2015, recording data on ICARAS was not mandatory. The difference in figures is because not all historic data has been recorded on ICARAS for the year 2011-12 and, therefore, the previously manually collected data is more accurate.</p><p>For the Army, prior to April 2013 they used the ICARAS system to track outreach activity, including visits to schools. However, the identification of specific types of event was problematic and it was often quicker and easier to ask Recruiting Offices for a summary of their activity. These summaries were based on local records, and were not always fully collated.</p><p>Since April 2013 ICARAS has been the main tool to track events. A specific code for school visits under the Army in Education programme has been introduced, making tracking of such activity more accurate and easier to analyse.</p> answering member constituency Milton Keynes North answering member printed Mark Lancaster question first answered 03/11/2015 16:25:38 answering member 1544 label Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham