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1140416

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Ethnic Groups
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many BAME staff are employed at (a) grade 7, (b) grade 5 and (c) grade 3 in her Department.
	tabling member constituency	Feltham and Heston
	tabling member printed	Seema Malhotra
	uin	279045
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The number of civilian Full Time Equivalent BAME staff employed in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as at 30 June 2019 is as follows:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><p><strong>Paid Grade/MOD Equivalent BAME Headcount</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Grade 7/B2</p></td><td><p>65</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Grade 5/SCS1</p></td><td><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Grade 3/SCS3</p></td><td><p>~</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>In line with Departmental policy figures are rounded to the nearest 5 and tilde ('~') represents a number lower than five and greater than zero. Includes MOD Main Top Level Budgetary Areas (TLBs) only. Excludes Trading funds, Defence Equipment and Support Bespoke Trading Entity, Executive Agency, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Locally engaged civilians (LECs).</p><p>Full details relating to the numbers of BAME staff employed in the MOD can be found in the Civilian personnel diversity publication on Gov.uk at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mod-diversity-dashboard-2019</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:08:43 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4253 label Biography information for Seema Malhotra

1140922

	registered interest
	date	22/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	War Pensions: Appeals
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many letters of delay the Veterans Agency is issuing to veterans awaiting an assessment appeal for their war pension on average.
	tabling member constituency	Stoke-on-Trent North
	tabling member printed	Ruth Smeeth
	uin	280407
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2019 answer text <p>The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/07/2019 15:11:36 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4508 label Biography information for Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent

1139415

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	War Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) average and (b) longest time taken is for his Department to process war pensions in the latest period for which data is available.
	tabling member constituency	Stoke-on-Trent North
	tabling member printed	Ruth Smeeth
	uin	277790
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is published within the annual National Statistics on awards under the War Pension Scheme. The latest information, as at 31 March 2019, can be found on the Gov.uk website at this link:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/war-pension-recipients-index</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:10:35 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4508 label Biography information for Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent

1139416

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	War Pensions: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of veterans with PTSD have been refused a war pension since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Stoke-on-Trent North
	tabling member printed	Ruth Smeeth
	uin	277791
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>Information on the total number of veterans medically diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is not held.</p><p>However, between 1 January 2010 and 31 March 2019 an estimated 6,730 veterans have claimed compensation for PTSD under the War Pension Scheme, of which 1,320 (19.5%) were unsuccessful.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:09:12 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4508 label Biography information for Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent

1140409

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Defence Fire and Rescue Service: Serco
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 18 July 2019 on Defence Fire and Rescue Project, HCWS1758, what the total cost was to his Department of the legal challenge from Serco Ltd.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	278932
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The total cost of Serco's legal challenge to the Defence Fire and Rescue procurement process is expected to be less than £11 million. The majority of this is the cost of the financial settlement mutually agreed with Serco, the details of which were set out in my statement of 18 July 2019 (HCWS1758).</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:12:08 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood attachment 1 file name Hansard Extract 18 July 2019, HCWS 1758.docx title Defence Fire and Rescue Project
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1140421

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Defence Fire and Rescue Service
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Written Statement of 18 July 2019 on Defence Fire and Rescue Project, HCWS1758, for what reasons her Department decided that that project will improve safety for firefighter personnel.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	278933
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The Defence Fire and Rescue Project contract introduces additional investment into the Defence Fire and Rescue capability which will contribute to improvements in safety for both firefighters and the wider defence population. This includes the introduction of new types of firefighting vehicles and technology that limits the exposure of firefighters to high hazard areas; additional breathing apparatus simulators; easier access to training in a greater range of locations; more training scenarios in simulators and a greater focus on prevention and protection.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:11:17 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137462

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces: Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date she plans to agree the 2019-20 pay settlement with the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274485
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>The Armed Forces' Pay Review Body submitted their report in May 2019 alongside all other public sector pay review bodies. The Government is currently considering the recommendations before agreeing the final 2019 Armed Forces Pay Award, taking into account the need to recruit, retain, and motivate suitably able and qualified personnel, as well as the long term affordability of the Armed Forces. Once a decision has been reached, as with previous years, the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body report will be published and any pay rises backdated to 1 April 2019.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/07/2019 15:04:34 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137463

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average age was of a Royal Fleet Auxiliary apprentice in each year between 2008-09 and 2018-19.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274486
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>The Royal Fleet Auxiliary commenced apprenticeships in April 2015 across five skill areas: Seamanship Rating; Marine Engineer Rating; Chef; Steward; and Communications and Information Systems Rating. The average age of personnel recruited into these schemes each year is provided in the table below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year</p></td><td><p>Average Age (Years)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>31</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>30</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>29</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>33</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/07/2019 15:05:54 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137464

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions she has had with officials from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) on the 2019-20 pay award for civilian RFA staff.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274487
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2019 answer text <p>Defence Ministers regularly meet with officials from Navy Command to discuss a range of issues, including Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) pay.</p><p>The Public Sector Pay Award Guidelines were published by Her Majesty's Treasury on 13 June 2019 and Departmental officials continue to work on a pay proposal for the RFA for 2019-20 based on this guidance.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 274484 question first answered 11/07/2019 15:02:28 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137465

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Job Satisfaction
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of levels of satisfaction amongst civilian seafarers employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; and what the results were of any such assessments undertaken since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274488
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>An independent Royal Fleet Auxiliary attitude survey was conducted in 2017 and all members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary were encouraged to participate. Of the 45% of staff who completed this survey, 42% were satisfied with Royal Fleet Auxiliary life in general.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:22:11 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137467

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the effect of RPI inflation has been on the value of the pay of civilian seafarers in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary since 2008-09.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274489
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>This information is not held by the Department. As Ministry of Defence Civil Servants, the pay of members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is governed by HM Treasury Public Sector Pay Guidance.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:22:48 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137468

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average age is of civilian (a) ratings and (b) officers employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274490
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>As at 1 April 2019 the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) employed 1,880 personnel. There were 137 women and 1,743 men, equating to 7.3% of RFA employees being women. The average age of ratings was 43 years and the average age of officers was 39 years.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 274491 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:19:35 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137469

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) women and (b) men are employed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274491
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>As at 1 April 2019 the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) employed 1,880 personnel. There were 137 women and 1,743 men, equating to 7.3% of RFA employees being women. The average age of ratings was 43 years and the average age of officers was 39 years.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 274490 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:19:35 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137470

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Equal Pay
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate she has made of the gender pay gap in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274492
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>All Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel are Civil Servants and are, therefore, included in the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Civil Servant gender pay gap reporting.</p><p>Overall, as at 31 March 2018, the MOD's median civilian gender pay gap of 10.9% (down 3.7 percentage points from the previous year) and 0.09% for military personnel (down 0.13 percentage points), compares favourably with the UK's national gender median pay gap of 17.9%.</p><p>The gender pay gap continues to narrow and the MOD is committed to reducing it further as we continue to promote policies that help all individuals reach their potential.</p><p>Further information on the MOD's Gender Pay Gap Reporting 2018 can be found at the following link:</p><p>https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/766751/20181207_MOD_Gender_Pay_Gap_Report_Narrative_2018-FINALPDF.pdf</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:21:17 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137471

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Ethnic Groups
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of civilian staff in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are BAME.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274493
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold this information as Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel are not mandated to record it. The Biannual Civilian Personnel Report, produced by Defence Statistics, does, however, contain published information on MOD civilian staff which includes Defence wide LGBT+ and BAME statistics.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 274494 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:20:15 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1137472

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: LGBT+ People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many civilian staff in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary identify as LGBT+.
	tabling member constituency	Llanelli
	tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
	uin	274494
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold this information as Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel are not mandated to record it. The Biannual Civilian Personnel Report, produced by Defence Statistics, does, however, contain published information on MOD civilian staff which includes Defence wide LGBT+ and BAME statistics.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 274493 question first answered 16/07/2019 15:20:15 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1139360

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Veterans: Advisory Services
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps her Department has taken to ensure that service members are directed to support services if required when leaving the armed forces.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	277821
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>We already offer every Service leaver assistance with their transition when they leave us, through our Armed Forces' resettlement provision and the Career Transition Partnership. However, for a small proportion who still face problems, it is right to offer additional support.</p><p>We are introducing a new holistic transition policy relating to the significant life changing processes which affect both the Service person and their immediate family through the entire time they are within or connected to the Armed Forces, through to discharge and beyond. This is to support successful transition into civilian life.</p><p>In conjunction with this new policy, we are creating a new organisation to deliver further support to those Service leavers who face the greatest challenges to making a successful transition when they leave the Armed Forces. The service will be available to all leavers and will be based on the need of the individual.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 22/07/2019 16:18:31 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1139364

	registered interest
	date	16/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Slough
	tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
	uin	277822
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>The delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant remains a cross-Government priority and a nationwide commitment to ensure those who serve and have served, and their families, are not disadvantaged, and that special provision may be appropriate for those who have sacrificed the most.</p><p>The Armed Forces Covenant's Annual Report is available at this link (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/armed-forces-covenant-annual-report-and-summary-2018) and sets out the major annual achievements of the Armed Forces Covenant across the UK and highlights remaining challenges and new commitments.</p><p>Strategic direction and oversight has been improved by the creation of the Armed Forces Covenant and Veterans Board, held biannually and chaired by the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on behalf of the Prime Minister, with Ministerial representation from the relevant Departments and the Devolved Administrations.</p><p>Alongside the Covenant and Veterans Board and the Annual Report to Parliament, governance arrangements include independent scrutiny and challenge from the Service charities and military Family Federations, performance metrics, and quarterly meetings of the Covenant Reference Group, co-chaired at Director-General level by Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defence.</p><p>Through the sharing of good practice, the overall outcomes for the Armed Forces community are improving. We remain committed to strengthening the Armed Forces Covenant, through new avenues, as well as our tried and tested methods of success.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 22/07/2019 16:17:56 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1139828

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Defence Medical Services: ICT
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the planned in-service date is for the cortisone IT programme for the Defence Medical Services; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the funding for that programme.
	tabling member constituency	Rayleigh and Wickford
	tabling member printed	Mr Mark Francois
	uin	278418
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/07/2019 answer text <p>The Cortisone Programme is scheduled to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in July 2022 with the roll-out of new Primary Medical Care IT services to fixed medical treatment facilities, in the UK and overseas. IOC will be deemed achieved when 80% of the MTFs are successfully operating the new services. Some user benefits from the Programme are expected earlier, from January 2021, when the medical information services interface between the Ministry of Defence and the National Health Service is improved.</p><p>Cortisone capability will be brought into service through Agile delivery methodologies. The Cortisone business case, approved in 2018, contained a model of the anticipated cost of delivery, rather than a firm cost provided by a preferred bidder. The model has been demonstrated to be robust, and we are confident that the capability expressed in the business case can be delivered with the funds approved.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 22/07/2019 16:17:07 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	1444 label Biography information for Mr Mark Francois

1139957

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Royal Fleet Auxiliary: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the annual budget was for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in each financial year since 2008-09.
	tabling member constituency	Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
	tabling member printed	Luke Pollard
	uin	278613
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2019 answer text <p>From the information available for scrutiny, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) annual budgets from financial year 2015-16 to date, rounded to the nearest million, are provided below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year</p></td><td><p>Budget (£million)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>£175</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>£149</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>£191</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>£174</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>These figures include RFA deployed costs; shoreside costs; wages, and through life and flotilla support.</p><p> </p><p>Due to a change in finance systems, costs prior to financial year 2015-16 have been archived and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/07/2019 14:21:01 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4682 label Biography information for Luke Pollard

1139759

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Working Hours
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much time off in lieu has been taken by staff in her Department in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Hemsworth
	tabling member printed	Jon Trickett
	uin	278379
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2019 answer text <p>This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Time Off in Lieu is offered as an alternative to paid overtime where an individual works beyond conditioned hours or on days they would not normally be required to work.</p><p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) ensures compliance with the requirements of the Working Time Regulations 1998 in respect of civil servants' working hours and it is the responsibility of all line managers to ensure employees are not working excessive hours in line with the requirements of the Working Time Regulations 1998.</p><p>The MOD is also committed to ensuring the wellbeing of staff and take action to ensure staff are able to maintain a satisfactory work/life balance</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/07/2019 14:22:17 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	410 label Biography information for Jon Trickett

1140324

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if she will publish the terms of the review of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association undertaken by Mr Rob Sullivan.
	tabling member constituency	North Wiltshire
	tabling member printed	James Gray
	uin	278902
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The agreed Terms of Reference for the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association Review is attached. This document covers the planned timeframe for publication of the review, which is expected by the end of November 2019.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 278903 question first answered 23/07/2019 13:27:42 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood attachment 1 file name RFCA Review TORs (PQ).docx title Terms of Reference
	tabling member	261 label Biography information for James Gray

1140326

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations Review
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timeframe is for the publication of the review on Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.
	tabling member constituency	North Wiltshire
	tabling member printed	James Gray
	uin	278903
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The agreed Terms of Reference for the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association Review is attached. This document covers the planned timeframe for publication of the review, which is expected by the end of November 2019.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood grouped question UIN 278902 question first answered 23/07/2019 13:27:42 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood attachment 1 file name RFCA Review TORs (PQ).docx title Terms of Reference
	tabling member	261 label Biography information for James Gray

1140328

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions she has had with the Chairman of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association on the contribution that associations make to the defence of the realm; and if she will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	North Wiltshire
	tabling member printed	James Gray
	uin	278904
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>As part of the review into the Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations (RFCAs) is currently under way, Ministry of Defence officials are in regular conversation with the Chairman of the Council of RFCAs and key staff at all thirteen RFCAs across the country. The review is looking into the functions carried out by the RFCAs and their contribution to Defence outputs, their efficiency and efficacy of delivery and corporate governance, and potential new tasks the RFCAs may be best placed to deliver on behalf of Defence.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:12:42 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	261 label Biography information for James Gray

1140266

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Defence: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when her Department will announce the preferred bidder for the Future Service Delivery Contract.
	tabling member constituency	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
	tabling member printed	Gerald Jones
	uin	279107
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>Bids for this contract have only just been received and have not yet been evaluated. Depending how fully they meet the Department's requirements, we provisionally envisage announcing the preferred bidder in December 2019.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:14:44 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4501 label Biography information for Gerald Jones

1140267

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Defence: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Future Service Delivery Contract will include the (a) War Pension Scheme, (b) Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and (c) Medals Office.
	tabling member constituency	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
	tabling member printed	Gerald Jones
	uin	279108
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>These functions are being Market Tested as options as part of the Future Service Delivery Contract competition. No decision to outsource them has been taken. They would be outsourced only if that provided best outcome for the Ministry of Defence, the serving and former Service personnel affected and the taxpayer.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:14:15 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4501 label Biography information for Gerald Jones

1140268

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Defence Business Services: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of staff at the Defence Business Services office at Tomlinson House, Norcross are (a) part-time, (b) female, (c) over 50 years old and (d) disabled.
	tabling member constituency	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
	tabling member printed	Gerald Jones
	uin	279109
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/07/2019 answer text <p>The proportion of staff at Tomlinson House, Norcross who are part-time, female, over 50 years old and disabled as of 30 June 2019 is as follows:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Part-Time</p></td><td><p>34.6%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Female</p></td><td><p>70.3%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>50 or Over</p></td><td><p>48.5%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Disabled *</p></td><td><p>11.0%*</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>*These figures are a minimum as the declaration of a disability is not mandatory.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/07/2019 14:19:51 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4501 label Biography information for Gerald Jones

1140270

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Veterans UK: Fylde
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect on the delivery of veteran services of the closure of Tomlinson House, Norcross.
	tabling member constituency	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
	tabling member printed	Gerald Jones
	uin	279110
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>In line with the Better Defence Estate Strategy, the Department is currently considering how best to make the most efficient and cost-effective use of its property in the North West, including the Norcross site. The delivery of veterans' services will not be affected.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:13:48 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4501 label Biography information for Gerald Jones

1140272

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Covenant: Veterans
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment she has made of the compatibility of outsourcing veteran services with the Armed Forces Covenant.
	tabling member constituency	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
	tabling member printed	Gerald Jones
	uin	279111
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>No decisions have been taken on whether to outsource any services as part of the Future Service Delivery Contract (FSDC). Such a decision would be taken only if that provided the best outcome for the Ministry of Defence, the serving and former Service personnel affected and the taxpayer. The outcome of the FSDC will be fully in line with the Military Covenant, as it will modernise and continue to improve the high-quality services our veterans deserve.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:13:12 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4501 label Biography information for Gerald Jones

1140273

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Disclosure of Information
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many subject access requests have been made to her Department in each of the last four quarters.
	tabling member constituency	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
	tabling member printed	Gerald Jones
	uin	279112
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The number of subject access requests reported, by financial year (FY), are given below:</p><p> </p><p>FY 2018-19, Quarter 2 - 8,205</p><p> </p><p>FY 2018-19, Quarter 3 - 7,890</p><p> </p><p>FY 2018-19, Quarter 4 - 10,548</p><p> </p><p>FY 2019-20, Quarter 1 - Total number not yet collated and verified. I will write to the hon. Member with this data shortly.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:08:00 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4501 label Biography information for Gerald Jones

1140274

	registered interest
	date	18/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Disclosure of Information
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many subject access requests made to her Department in each of the last four quarters were complied with within the 28-day time limit.
	tabling member constituency	Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
	tabling member printed	Gerald Jones
	uin	279113
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The number of subject access requests answered within 28 days of receipt by Financial Year (FY), are given below.</p><p>FY 2018-19, Quarter 2 - 5,265</p><p>FY 2018-19, Quarter 3 - 5,061</p><p>FY 2018-19, Quarter 4 - 6,907</p><p>FY 2019-20, Quarter 1 - Total number not held as this reporting period has not closed yet. I will write to the hon. Member with this data shortly.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:07:03 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4501 label Biography information for Gerald Jones

1138499

	registered interest
	date	11/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate he has made of the size of the (a) regular armed forces community and (b) reserve armed forces community including the partners, spouses and children of people serving in the armed forces.
	tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
	tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
	uin	276190
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/07/2019 answer text <p>The requested information is provided below:</p><p> </p><p>Number of Service Personnel and Estimate of the Number of Children and Marital Status as at 1 April 2019</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>Number of Service Personnel</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Estimated Number of children</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Estimated Numbers Married or in a Civil Partnership</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>UK Regular Forces<sup>1</sup></p></td><td><p>144,430</p></td><td><p>48,160</p></td><td><p>62,680</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Future Reserves 2020<sup>2</sup></p></td><td><p>36,400</p></td><td><p>10,610</p></td><td><p>14,380</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>180,830</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>58,770</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>77,060</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p> </p><p>1. Figures exclude Gurkhas, Regular Reserve, Sponsored Reserve, Military Provost Guard Service, Locally Engaged Personnel and elements of the Full-time Reserve Service (FTRS).</p><p> </p><ol start="2"><li>Future Reserves 2020 includes volunteer reserves who are mobilised, High Readiness Reserves and Volunteer Reserve personnel serving on Additional Duties Commitment or FTRS contracts. Non Regular Permanent Staff, Expeditionary Forces Institute and University Officer Cadets and Regular Reservists are excluded.</li></ol><p> </p><ol start="3"><li>Figures for the number of children and marital status are estimates as the data is self-declared and has not been verified by Defence Statistics.</li></ol><p> </p><ol start="4"><li>Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, figures ending in “5” have been rounded to the nearest 20 to avoid systematic bias.</li></ol><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 17/07/2019 15:10:56 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1137481

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Veterans UK: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the funding available to Veterans UK.
	tabling member constituency	Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Chris Evans
	uin	274507
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>Funding for Veterans UK is allocated through Defence Business Services (part of the Ministry of Defence) according to annual bids based on business forecast demand. Funding for additional in-year demand or business requirements may be made as required during the financial year.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:18:48 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4040 label Biography information for Chris Evans

1137482

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Armed Forces Independence Payment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the armed forces independence payment in providing financial support to veterans.
	tabling member constituency	Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Chris Evans
	uin	274508
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) keeps all aspects of the support provided to injured Service personnel under continual review to ensure that the provision remains fit for purpose; this includes the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) which the MOD introduced in 2013, in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions, to simplify the financial support available for members of the Armed Forces who have been seriously injured as a result of Service since 6 April 2005. The AFIP provides eligible recipients with on-going payments to help with the additional costs associated with their injuries. Service personnel and veterans who are entitled to a Guaranteed Income Payment of 50% or higher through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme are eligible for AFIP, which is tax-free and paid for life with no review. In addition to continual internal review, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (including AFIP) is subject to a formal quinquennial review, last conducted in 2017: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-armed-forces-compensation-scheme-quinquennial-review</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:17:31 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4040 label Biography information for Chris Evans

1137483

	registered interest
	date	08/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	War Pensions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the war pensions scheme for injured veterans.
	tabling member constituency	Islwyn
	tabling member printed	Chris Evans
	uin	274509
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/07/2019 answer text <p>The War Pension Scheme (WPS) is kept under continual review to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose. War Pensions payments and associated allowances are uprated annually to protect against rising prices. In April 2019, rates for Financial Year 2019-20 increased by 2.4% in line with the September 2018 Consumer Price Index.</p><p>It remains the case that any veteran who believes they have suffered ill-health or injury due to service in the Armed Forces before 6 April 2005 is eligible to claim no-fault compensation under the WPS, which has no time limits and with the benefit of reasonable doubt always given to the claimant.</p><p>Decisions are medically certified and follow consideration of service and medical evidence and carry full rights of appeal to an independent tribunal. Where the evidence supports a causal link to service, entitlement will be given.</p><p>The WPS also includes dependant benefits, which can be substantial over a period of time.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/07/2019 15:18:17 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4040 label Biography information for Chris Evans

1139868

	registered interest
	date	17/07/2019
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Defence Medical Services: Training
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's policy is on participation of military surgeons in overseas training exercises involving animals that have been shot or otherwise injured with offensive weapons for the purpose of that exercise.
	tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
	tabling member printed	Ben Lake
	uin	278578
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/07/2019 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence takes very seriously its obligation to provide the best possible medical treatment for Service personnel wounded on operational service. The quality of care delivered by the Defence Medical Services (DMS) is directly related to the thoroughness with which we prepare our deployed surgical teams for the sorts of serious injuries they will encounter.</p><p>This training is delivered through a range of different courses and exercises, many of which employ complex simulation models such as programmable mannequins. However, simulators are currently unable to replace all trauma training. Even the most sophisticated of them are not technologically advanced enough to respond physiologically to complex surgical procedures. At present, the only means for our surgical teams to get the necessary training in the control of real-time internal haemorrhage from combat injury is through live tissue training (LTT).</p><p>Up to twice a year, members of the DMS attend surgical training exercises in Denmark, during which live but fully anaesthetised pigs are given bullet and blast wounds which are then treated in real-time exercises by surgical teams. The animals are unconscious during the entire exercise, and feel no pain. They are attended at all times by veterinary staff, who may withdraw them at any time for any reason, and the animals are humanely put down at the end of the training procedures without recovering consciousness.</p><p>The DMS have collaborated on a number of research programmes into simulator technology, and constantly monitors the latest developments, especially where they might in future offer an alternative means of delivering this specialised but vital training.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 23/07/2019 13:09:59 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
	tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake