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45529

registered interest
date	27/03/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to facilitate the attendance of (a) veterans, (b) armed forces' widows, (c) armed forces' spouses and (d) carers to the 70th anniversary D-Day commemoration events at (i) Portsmouth on 5 June 2014, (ii) London on 22 June 2014, (iii) York on 20 July 2014 and (iv) London on 16 October 2014.
tabling member constituency	Gedling
tabling member printed	Vernon Coaker
uin	194124
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p>The 70<sup>th</sup> Anniversary D-Day commemorative events in Portsmouth are being organised by Portsmouth City Council, and the military is supporting the event as requested. Similarly, the Services are supporting events planned by the Normandy Veterans Association (NVA). The Department is unable to predict the numbers who may be present at any of these events and has received no requests to facilitate attendance.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Defence was made aware of Portsmouth City Council's planned events in April 2013. We were informed about the majority of NVA events in February 2013, and the National Memorial Arboretum event in November 2013. We have been working closely with the Royal British Legion and the NVA on the planned events to mark this significant anniversary, and have ensured that a range of Service charities and associations are kept informed, including COBSEO, the Confederation of Service Charities.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry grouped question UIN 194125 194130 194131 question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	360 label Biography information for Lord Coaker

45530

registered interest
date	27/03/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
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 25 March 2014, Official Report, column 181W, on D-Day Landings: anniversaries, with which service and veterans' charities his Department has been liaising for each of the 70th anniversary D-Day commemoration events in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Gedling
tabling member printed	Vernon Coaker
uin	194125
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p>The 70<sup>th</sup> Anniversary D-Day commemorative events in Portsmouth are being organised by Portsmouth City Council, and the military is supporting the event as requested. Similarly, the Services are supporting events planned by the Normandy Veterans Association (NVA). The Department is unable to predict the numbers who may be present at any of these events and has received no requests to facilitate attendance.</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Defence was made aware of Portsmouth City Council's planned events in April 2013. We were informed about the majority of NVA events in February 2013, and the National Memorial Arboretum event in November 2013. We have been working closely with the Royal British Legion and the NVA on the planned events to mark this significant anniversary, and have ensured that a range of Service charities and associations are kept informed, including COBSEO, the Confederation of Service Charities.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry grouped question UIN 194124 194130 194131 question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	360 label Biography information for Lord Coaker

44330

registered interest
date	20/03/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the budget of the Service Complaints Commission has been in each year of its operation; how many staff have been employed by that Commission; how such figures will change after April 2014; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Bridgend
tabling member printed	Mrs Madeleine Moon
uin	193110
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p>The annual budget of the Service Complaints Commissioner can be found in the Annual Reports at the following links:</p><p> </p><p><strong><em><a title="blocked::http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/423526_sccar_annualrep_tag.pdf" href="http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/423526_sccar_annualrep_tag.pdf" target="_blank">http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/423526_sccar_annualrep_tag.pdf</a></em></strong></p><p> </p><p><strong><em><a title="blocked::http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/scc_2009_ar.pdf" href="http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/scc_2009_ar.pdf" target="_blank">http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/scc_2009_ar.pdf</a></em></strong></p><p><strong><em><a title="blocked::http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/scc_annual_report_2010_with_erratum.pdf" href="http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/scc_annual_report_2010_with_erratum.pdf" target="_blank">http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/scc_annual_report_2010_with_erratum.pdf</a></em></strong></p><p> </p><p><strong><em><a title="blocked::http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/sccannualreport2011web.pdf" href="http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/sccannualreport2011web.pdf" target="_blank">http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/sccannualreport2011web.pdf</a></em></strong></p><p> </p><p><strong><em><a title="blocked::http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/426354_ssc_ar_2012.pdf" href="http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/426354_ssc_ar_2012.pdf" target="_blank">http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/linkedfiles/afcindependent/426354_ssc_ar_2012.pdf</a></em></strong></p><p> </p><p>The number of staff employed by the Commissioner at the end of each calendar year, excluding the Commissioner herself is shown in the following table:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>2014 (projected)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>7</p></td><td><p>8</p></td><td><p>9</p></td><td><p>10</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Resource requirements are kept under review and we will continue to do so as we implement the recent announcement of a Service Complaints Ombudsman.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	1490 label Biography information for Mrs Madeleine Moon

44312

registered interest
date	20/03/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much the More Than Meets The Eye recruitment campaign has cost; and if he will place in the Library copies of the written brief for the campaign and any evaluation that has been made so far.
tabling member constituency	Belfast East
tabling member printed	Naomi Long
uin	192998
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p>The date and approximate cost of each campaign specified is shown in the following table:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Campaign</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Date</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Focus</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Costs</strong></p><p><strong>£ million</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>More Than Meets The Eye</p></td><td><p>January - March 2014</p></td><td><p>Regular/Reserve</p></td><td><p>£2.7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Step Up</p></td><td><p>May - September 2013</p></td><td><p>Regular</p></td><td><p>£1.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Start Thinking Soldier</p></td><td><p>April - September 2009</p></td><td><p>Regular</p></td><td><p>£4.6</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>The evaluation work for the More Than Meets The Eye campaign is expected to report in May. The figure quoted reflects the media costs of the campaign, and includes approximately £1.2 million from the existing contracted budget. I have placed a copy of the marketing brief and analysis of results for the Step Up campaign in the Library of the House. The Start Thinking Soldier campaign took place four years before the current partnering arrangement between the Army and Capita started. Although formal evaluation is no longer held for Start Thinking Soldier, I have placed the marketing brief for the television advertising in the Library of the House.</p><p> </p><p>The Army is always recruiting, as it requires a constant flow of personnel to enter as privates and officer cadets, and then to gain the knowledge and experience to be promoted through the ranks. Consequently, it will always need to run recruitment campaigns. Army recruiting will continue to be supported by targeted campaigns, designed to highlight the variety of skills and trades available in both the Regular and Reserve forces.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry attachment 1 file name 131023 Army January 2014 Campaign MTMTE Brief v3.doc title Army Recruiting Campaign 2 file name 20140324-Step Up campaign.docx title Army Step up Campaign 3 file name Campaign Brief - Start Thinking Soldier 10 Second Support.doc title Start thinking Soldier Campaign question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	3920 label Biography information for Naomi Long

44341

registered interest
date	20/03/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what savings have accrued to the Exchequer through the linking of the value of armed forces pensions to the Consumer Prices Index rather than the Retail Prices Index.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	193206
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>(holding answer 25 March 2014)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is used to set the inflation target for the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee; it is the headline measure of inflation in the UK as reported by the Office of National Statistics, and is an internationally comparable measure.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>CPI is therefore considered by the Government to be the appropriate index to provide protection from inflation, which is why both the Armed Forces and Civil Service pension schemes use this measure.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Armed Forces continue to benefit from the only major public sector pension scheme that is non-contributory.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The information requested is shown in the following table. These figures are estimates:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year 1 (2011-12)</p></td><td><p>approx. £48 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Financial Year 2 (2012-13)</p></td><td><p>approx. £67 million</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Financial Year 3 (2013-14)</p></td><td><p>approx. £85 million</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 03/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

41183

registered interest
date	04/03/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many allegations of (a) rape and (b) sexual assault were made within the chain of command against members of the armed forces in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013; and, of such cases, how many resulted in a prosecution by the Service Prosecution Authority.
tabling member constituency	West Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Gemma Doyle
uin	190438
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>All allegations of rape and sexual assault will be thoroughly investigated by either the civil or Service police, depending upon who has jurisdiction. The following table provides details of the number of allegations of rape and sexual assault made within the chain of command against members of the Armed Forces in each of the last four years as recorded by the Service Police. Reference to rape covers offences under section one and sexual assault covers offences under sections two and three of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Sexual Offence</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Allegations in 2010</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Allegations in 2011</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Allegations in 2012</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Allegations in 2013</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rape</p></td><td><p>23</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>22</p></td><td><p>25</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sexual Assault</p></td><td><p>70</p></td><td><p>77</p></td><td><p>50</p></td><td><p>60</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>The following table provides details of the number of referrals to the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) in each of the last four years, the number directed for trial and the number of convictions in the Military Court Service.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p><strong>2010</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2011 </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2012</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2013</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Rape Case Referrals</strong></p></td><td><p>21</p></td><td><p>18</p></td><td><p>22</p></td><td><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Directed for Trial</strong></p></td><td><p>9</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Convictions</strong></p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>0<sup>1</sup></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Sexual Assault Case Referrals</strong></p></td><td><p>51</p></td><td><p>70</p></td><td><p>31</p></td><td><p>45</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Directed for Trial </strong></p></td><td><p>27</p></td><td><p>35</p></td><td><p>18</p></td><td><p>23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Convictions</strong></p></td><td><p>23</p></td><td><p>31</p></td><td><p>9</p></td><td><p>7<sup>2</sup></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><sup>1</sup>Seven further cases are currently on trial.</p><p><sup>2</sup> 11 Trials ongoing</p><p> </p><p>The SPA may receive referrals in one year and the cases are directed/not directed and/or tried in the following year, so there is no direct correlation to the number of cases brought in any one year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I should also like to take the opportunity to clarify the relationship between the figures provided in this answer, and earlier answers. The figures for sexual assaults in this answer are different to those provided by the then Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Andrew Robathan) on 6 July 2012 (Official Report, column 822W) in response to a question from the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon), for sexual assault referrals in the years between 2010 and 2012 (although 2012 was only for part of the year). This is because the term sexual assault has been expanded to cover the offences of indecent assault and sexual activity with a child. In addition, the figures provided in a response given by my predecessor (Mark Francois) on 30 November 2012 (Official Report, column 555W) again to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon) referred only to the number of cases where the victim was a member of the Armed Forces. The figures in the tables above cover all cases handled by the SPA, whether or not the victim was a member of the Armed Forces.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry attachment 1 file name Hansard Extract 30 November 2012.doc title Hansard extract 30 Nov 12 2 file name Hansard extract 6 July 2012.doc title Hansard extract 6 July 12 grouped question UIN 190437 question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	4063 label Biography information for Gemma Doyle

41184

registered interest
date	04/03/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many prosecutions of (a) rape and (b) sexual assault of members of the armed forces resulted in a conviction by the Military Courts Service in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013.
tabling member constituency	West Dunbartonshire
tabling member printed	Gemma Doyle
uin	190437
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>All allegations of rape and sexual assault will be thoroughly investigated by either the civil or Service police, depending upon who has jurisdiction. The following table provides details of the number of allegations of rape and sexual assault made within the chain of command against members of the Armed Forces in each of the last four years as recorded by the Service Police. Reference to rape covers offences under section one and sexual assault covers offences under sections two and three of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Sexual Offence</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Allegations in 2010</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Allegations in 2011</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Allegations in 2012</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total Allegations in 2013</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Rape</p></td><td><p>23</p></td><td><p>20</p></td><td><p>22</p></td><td><p>25</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sexual Assault</p></td><td><p>70</p></td><td><p>77</p></td><td><p>50</p></td><td><p>60</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>The following table provides details of the number of referrals to the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) in each of the last four years, the number directed for trial and the number of convictions in the Military Court Service.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p><strong>2010</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2011 </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2012</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2013</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Rape Case Referrals</strong></p></td><td><p>21</p></td><td><p>18</p></td><td><p>22</p></td><td><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Directed for Trial</strong></p></td><td><p>9</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Convictions</strong></p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>3</p></td><td><p>4</p></td><td><p>0<sup>1</sup></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Sexual Assault Case Referrals</strong></p></td><td><p>51</p></td><td><p>70</p></td><td><p>31</p></td><td><p>45</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Directed for Trial </strong></p></td><td><p>27</p></td><td><p>35</p></td><td><p>18</p></td><td><p>23</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Convictions</strong></p></td><td><p>23</p></td><td><p>31</p></td><td><p>9</p></td><td><p>7<sup>2</sup></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><sup>1</sup>Seven further cases are currently on trial.</p><p><sup>2</sup> 11 Trials ongoing</p><p> </p><p>The SPA may receive referrals in one year and the cases are directed/not directed and/or tried in the following year, so there is no direct correlation to the number of cases brought in any one year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I should also like to take the opportunity to clarify the relationship between the figures provided in this answer, and earlier answers. The figures for sexual assaults in this answer are different to those provided by the then Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Andrew Robathan) on 6 July 2012 (Official Report, column 822W) in response to a question from the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon), for sexual assault referrals in the years between 2010 and 2012 (although 2012 was only for part of the year). This is because the term sexual assault has been expanded to cover the offences of indecent assault and sexual activity with a child. In addition, the figures provided in a response given by my predecessor (Mark Francois) on 30 November 2012 (Official Report, column 555W) again to the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon) referred only to the number of cases where the victim was a member of the Armed Forces. The figures in the tables above cover all cases handled by the SPA, whether or not the victim was a member of the Armed Forces.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry attachment 1 file name Hansard Extract 30 November 2012.doc title Hansard extract 30 Nov 12 2 file name Hansard extract 6 July 2012.doc title Hansard extract 6 July 12 grouped question UIN 190438 question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	4063 label Biography information for Gemma Doyle

46232

registered interest
date	01/04/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when RAF enlistment papers and information given to prospective recruits will be updated to reflect the extended discharge as of right for recruits enlisting under the age of 18 years old, as introduced in the Armed Forces (Terms of Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2011.
tabling member constituency	North Devon
tabling member printed	Sir Nick Harvey
uin	194725
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p> </p><p>The RAF's enlistment paperwork was updated immediately after the Amendment in 2011 and continues correctly to reflect the rights for discharge of airmen under 18 years of age.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	231 label Biography information for Sir Nick Harvey

46493

registered interest
date	02/04/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth of 23 December 2013, regarding a review of a discharge from the British Army.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff South and Penarth
tabling member printed	Stephen Doughty
uin	194955
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no record of receiving the letter from the hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth. The MOD requested a copy of the letter on 3 April 2014 and will respond shortly.</p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	4264 label Biography information for Stephen Doughty

46881

registered interest
date	03/04/2014
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made in implementing the Military Covenant; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
uin	195185
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>There is a statutory obligation on the Defence Secretary to report annually on progress in implementing the Armed Forces Covenant. The second annual report was published in December 2013 and contains comprehensive updates on the four major areas specified in the Armed Forces Act 2011, namely healthcare, education, housing, and the operation of inquests.</p><p> </p><p>I look forward to significant further progress in the coming year, including supporting Service personnel to buy their first home through the £200 milion Forces Help to Buy scheme, improving patient care by establishing a unified defence primary healthcare service, and allocating £40 million to support charities which assist veterans with housing needs.</p><p> </p><p>The Covenant is not just a matter for the Government; recognising and respecting the specific needs of the Armed Forces community is a duty incumbent on the whole of society. Charities, employers, local authorities and individuals can play their role in providing the support and fair treatment that our Service personnel, veterans and service families so richly deserve.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Broxtowe answering member printed Anna Soubry question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 3938 label Biography information for Anna Soubry
tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby