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1077120

registered interest
date	25/02/2019
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many drug tests have been administered in the (a) Royal Air Force and (b) Royal Navy in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	225504
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/03/2019 answer text <p>The numbers provided in the table below relate to the number of drug tests administered each calendar year.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2"><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td colspan="2"><p><strong>Number of drug tests administered each year in</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Royal Air Force</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Royal Navy*</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2014</strong></p></td><td><p>12,618</p></td><td><p>13,082</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2015</strong></p></td><td><p>12,450</p></td><td><p>13,556</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2016</strong></p></td><td><p>14,061</p></td><td><p>12,846</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2017</strong></p></td><td><p>20,662</p></td><td><p>15,689</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2018</strong></p></td><td><p>27,199</p></td><td><p>24,032</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>*These figures are for the Naval Service which consists of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Although the selection of personnel for compulsory drug tests is primarily random, a small percentage of personnel are repeatedly selected for testing. Consequently, the number of personnel tested each year does not directly correlate to the number of drug tests completed.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 04/03/2019 16:39:13 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1064674

registered interest
date	21/02/2019
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Army: Health
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to reduce the proportion of army personnel that cannot be sent overseas due to medical reasons.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	224332
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2019 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 February 2019 to Question 216134 to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr Andrew Rosindell).</p><p>For the Army, the health and wellbeing of personnel is a priority. A range of initiatives and policies are continuously being developed and implemented to address the conditions which most frequently cause medical downgrades.</p><p>The introduction earlier this year of new Physical Employment Standards for Ground Close Combat (GCC) roles followed evidence from research as part of a five-year programme that aims to reduce musculo-skeletal injury and optimise operational effectiveness. Work is now under way to develop the most suitable standards for non-GCC roles.</p><p>Additionally, there are a number of initiatives that aim to provide long-term support to address poor lifestyle choices and weight management issues, which we recognise as an issue for modern society. For example, some units are trialling a Healthy Living programme, using wearable technology linked to an online application which aims to instil a personal responsibility culture for soldiers to maintain their fitness.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 28/02/2019 15:53:57 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood attachment 1 file name 216134_Armed_Forces_Health.docx title 216134 - Armed Forces; Health
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1023956

registered interest
date	12/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Recruitment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he is taking to encourage people from all ethnic groups to join the armed forces.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	201648
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/12/2018 answer text <p>The Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, published in October, is based on achieving a vision that reflects our recognition that the recruitment, and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to Defence and wider society.</p><p>The Armed Forces are working towards a target of 10 per cent of recruits to come from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds by 2020.</p><p>Work to increase representation from minority ethnic groups includes better understanding and greater engagement with these communities, reviewing recruitment processes; and better targeted marketing and communications towards potential applicants.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 20/12/2018 15:28:56 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1020217

registered interest
date	05/12/2018
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Army: Suicide
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to tackle the matter of soldiers taking their own life (a) during and (b) after active service.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	199402
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/12/2018 answer text <p>Every study conducted by the Ministry of Defence has found that the risk of suicide amongst the Armed Forces community, including veterans of the 1982 Falkland and 1990-91 Gulf conflicts, is lower than amongst the general population.</p><p>A considerable amount of work has already been undertaken to improve the mental health of Service personnel and to prevent suicide and suicide risk. This includes tackling stigma through education and providing easily accessible, rapid and flexible access to mental health support and healthcare services. Armed Forces personnel undergo &quot;through life&quot; psychological resilience training which enables them to recognise and manage stress in themselves and in their colleagues and actively encourages them to seek help at an early stage.</p><p>However, we continue to look at what more can done. This includes a focused review by the Defence Safety Authority of suicide in Service personnel to identify additional measures for preventing suicide. The review was published on 9 November 2018 by the Defence Safety Authority and work to take forward the recommendations has commenced.</p><p>We have less influence on individuals' behaviour once they are discharged from the Armed Forces, as their mental healthcare becomes the responsibility of the National Health Service in the UK. There are many factors that can result in suicide such as relationship breakdown, debt and employment concerns, not only service in the Armed Forces.</p><p>However, we are not complacent. Any suicide is one too many and a tragedy for the individual, their family, friends and colleagues.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 11/12/2018 16:15:29 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

838254

registered interest
date	07/02/2018
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Ministry of Defence: Mental Health Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to establish within his Department and each service of the Armed Forces improved provision for confidential access to mental health support.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	127152
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2018 answer text <p>Comprehensive mental health support is provided to the Armed Forces, including pre- and post-operational stress management training and a wide range of psychiatric and psychological treatments. We regularly review our mental healthcare services to ensure that they provide the best possible patient access and healthcare for Service personnel, responding to changes in local requirements.</p><p>Following the major Defence Mental Healthcare Services Review in 2013, it was decided to reconfigure the services provided to improve the provision of care. Instead of focussing services on the Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMHs), we now have 20 permanent locations available for Service personnel requiring mental healthcare, made up of a mixture of 11 DCMHs, six Mental Health Teams (MHTs), and three locations with a permanent Community Mental Health Nurse. The review that initiated this change sought to ensure safe, equitable, quality provision, ensuring all patients access to confidential, professional mental healthcare services.</p><p>More recently, in July 2017, we published the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy setting out measures we are taking to further improve the mental health of the Armed Forces and veterans. This includes developing innovative new partnerships with charities, such as that announced in October last year with the Royal Foundation, aimed at helping maintain and develop good mental fitness.</p><p>And only last week the Secretary of State announced that we will be building on our existing partnership with Combat Stress to provide a new Ministry of Defence-funded 24/7 Military Mental Health Helpline for serving personnel, which will link into the existing services provided by Combat Stress for veterans and their families. We will also be providing an additional £2million of annual funding for military mental health services, on top of the £20million a year we already spend.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 26/02/2018 17:50:56 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

782681

registered interest
date	02/11/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	HMS Ocean
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to mothball HMS Ocean on the date that that ship is due to be decommissioned.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	111005
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/11/2017 answer text <p>HMS OCEAN will decommission in 2018 as planned. The ship is currently being marketed and a number of disposal options are being considered, including the possibility of selling to another Government. However, no decisions have been made</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 10/11/2017 14:02:41 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

767462

registered interest
date	09/10/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Warships: Hygiene
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that hygiene standards are maintained in navy ship galleys.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	106713
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/10/2017 answer text <p>To ensure the operational effectiveness of their Units, the Royal Navy takes food hygiene extremely seriously. Galleys are subjected to routine cleans, followed by formal inspections by individual chefs and Logistics and Executive personnel, in addition to Operational Sea Training and Flotilla inspections.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 16/10/2017 14:41:22 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

759260

registered interest
date	11/09/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Housing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department is doing to ensure that Carillion carries out its full contracts in respect of armed forces-friendly accommodation.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	10006
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/09/2017 answer text <p>CarillionAmey provide the Ministry of Defence (MOD) with monthly performance figures which are measured against a range of key delivery targets. These are subject to rigorous assurance checks, and the results are reported to governing bodies and are subject to external review.</p><p>To ensure that works undertaken by CarillionAmey under the National Housing Prime Contract are carried out to an appropriate standard, a series of checks are carried out by the MOD, CarillionAmey and a third party assurance provider.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 18/09/2017 14:16:27 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

723855

registered interest
date	24/04/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Yemen: Baha'i Faith
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports his Department has received of mass arrests of Baha'is in Sana'a, Yemen during April 2017; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	71717
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2017 answer text <p>I am deeply concerned by recent developments relating to the Baha’i community in Yemen. The Houthis and all parties in Yemen must respect freedom of religion and the rights of all Yemenis.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 27/04/2017 08:30:56 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

722104

registered interest
date	18/04/2017
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Golan Heights: Security
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Israeli Government on the threat posed by Hezbollah and others on the Golan Heights.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	71023
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2017 answer text <p>In our regular dialogue with the Israeli government, we discuss a range of security issues, including the strategic threat picture in the region.</p> answering member constituency Bournemouth East answering member printed Mr Tobias Ellwood question first answered 24/04/2017 16:42:41 answering member 1487 label Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon