{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16%3A43%3A16.0056634Z&answeringDeptSortName=Defence&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16%3A43%3A16.0056634Z&answeringDeptSortName=Defence&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16%3A43%3A16.0056634Z&answeringDeptSortName=Defence&_metadata=all&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21&_page=0&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16%3A43%3A16.0056634Z&answeringDeptSortName=Defence&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16%3A43%3A16.0056634Z&answeringDeptSortName=Defence&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?min-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-10-28T16%3A43%3A16.0056634Z&answeringDeptSortName=Defence&max-answer.dateOfAnswer=2019-01-21", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1042271", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1042271/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.<\/p><p>The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.<\/p><p>All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.<\/p><p>The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.<\/p><p>To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.<\/p><p>It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "208852"}
        , {"_value" : "208853"}
        , {"_value" : "208854"}
        , {"_value" : "208857"}
        , {"_value" : "208859"}
        , {"_value" : "208860"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-21T16:47:00.34Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Service Complaints Ombudsman: Staff"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter dated of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question 196768, what assessment he has made of the reasons why only a maximum of nine out of the full compliment of 11 full-time investigator posts have ever been filled in the office of the Service Complaints Ombudsman; and whether the problems identified in the United Kingdom Security Vetting agency by the National Audit Office in its report entitled Investigation into national security vetting, published in September 2018, have contributed to the posts being unfilled; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1490", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Madeleine Moon"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bridgend"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mrs Madeleine Moon"}
      ], "uin" : "209305"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041578", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041578/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>There are currently fourteen Royal Navy Reservists serving in Her Majesty\u2019s ships on operational duty. These are broken down as follows:<\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Rank/Role<\/p><\/td><td><p> <\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>Lieutenant<\/p><\/td><td><p>1<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>Sub-Lieutenant<\/p><\/td><td><p>1<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>Leading Hand<\/p><\/td><td><p>2<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>Able Seaman<\/p><\/td><td><p>10<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p> <\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-21T16:15:18.443Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Navy: Reserve Forces"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many reservists at each rank are serving on Her Majesty's Ships on operational duty.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/116", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Soames of Fletching"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Sussex"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Nicholas Soames"}
      ], "uin" : "208736"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041599", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041599/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The numbers of Irish and Commonwealth citizens who have joined the Regular Armed Forces in the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2018 is provided below.<\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year<\/p><\/td><td><p>Irish Regular Personnel<\/p><\/td><td><p>Commonwealth Regular Personnel<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2008-09<\/p><\/td><td><p>40<\/p><\/td><td><p>1,470<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2009-10<\/p><\/td><td><p>80<\/p><\/td><td><p>970<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2010-11<\/p><\/td><td><p>80<\/p><\/td><td><p>450<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2011-12<\/p><\/td><td><p>100<\/p><\/td><td><p>680<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2012-13<\/p><\/td><td><p>110<\/p><\/td><td><p>720<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2013-14<\/p><\/td><td><p>60<\/p><\/td><td><p>440<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2014-15<\/p><\/td><td><p>100<\/p><\/td><td><p>120<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2015-16<\/p><\/td><td><p>110<\/p><\/td><td><p>90<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2016-17<\/p><\/td><td><p>80<\/p><\/td><td><p>320<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2017-18<\/p><\/td><td><p>60<\/p><\/td><td><p>480<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total<\/strong><\/p><\/td><td><p><strong>840<\/strong><\/p><\/td><td><p><strong>5,740<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"3\"><p> <\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"3\"><p>Notes:<ul><li>UK Regulars comprises Full-time Service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Gurkhas, mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service, Locally Employed Personnel and Non-Regular Permanent Staff<\/li><li>Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Figures ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest 20 to avoid systemic bias<\/li><\/ul><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "208803"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-21T16:14:27.853Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Republic of Ireland: Armed Forces"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Irish citizens have joined the British armed forces in each of the last 10 years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1447", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Rosindell"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Romford"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Rosindell"}
      ], "uin" : "208802"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041600", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041600/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The numbers of Irish and Commonwealth citizens who have joined the Regular Armed Forces in the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2018 is provided below.<\/p><p> <\/p><p> <\/p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year<\/p><\/td><td><p>Irish Regular Personnel<\/p><\/td><td><p>Commonwealth Regular Personnel<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2008-09<\/p><\/td><td><p>40<\/p><\/td><td><p>1,470<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2009-10<\/p><\/td><td><p>80<\/p><\/td><td><p>970<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2010-11<\/p><\/td><td><p>80<\/p><\/td><td><p>450<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2011-12<\/p><\/td><td><p>100<\/p><\/td><td><p>680<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2012-13<\/p><\/td><td><p>110<\/p><\/td><td><p>720<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2013-14<\/p><\/td><td><p>60<\/p><\/td><td><p>440<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2014-15<\/p><\/td><td><p>100<\/p><\/td><td><p>120<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2015-16<\/p><\/td><td><p>110<\/p><\/td><td><p>90<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2016-17<\/p><\/td><td><p>80<\/p><\/td><td><p>320<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p>2017-18<\/p><\/td><td><p>60<\/p><\/td><td><p>480<\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total<\/strong><\/p><\/td><td><p><strong>840<\/strong><\/p><\/td><td><p><strong>5,740<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"3\"><p> <\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"3\"><p>Notes:<ul><li>UK Regulars comprises Full-time Service personnel, including Nursing Services, but excluding Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Gurkhas, mobilised Reservists, Military Provost Guard Service, Locally Employed Personnel and Non-Regular Permanent Staff<\/li><li>Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Figures ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest 20 to avoid systemic bias<\/li><\/ul><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "208802"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-21T16:14:27.907Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Armed Forces: Foreign Nationals"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Commonwealth citizens have joined the British armed forces in each of the last 10 years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1447", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Andrew Rosindell"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Romford"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Andrew Rosindell"}
      ], "uin" : "208803"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041726", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041726/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Since 2014, the UK has sought to support and enable a Nigerian-led regional response to Boko Haram and related violent extremism in the north-east, doing so in the context of the long-term need to help build capacity of the Nigerian Armed Forces and support Defence Transformation. Some 70 Defence personnel are currently deployed to Nigeria on an enduring basis, and over 800 have deployed to Nigeria on training and advisory tasks since April 2015. This is supported by equipment gifting, places on professional development courses, and a focus on developing Nigerian Command, Staff, and Leadership institutions.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1544", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Milton Keynes North"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Lancaster"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-21T17:34:47.39Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nigeria: Military Aid"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department is giving to the Nigerian Government to repel attacks by armed insurgents in north-east Nigeria.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4504", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Wes Streeting"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ilford North"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Wes Streeting"}
      ], "uin" : "208931"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041758", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041758/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.<\/p><p>The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.<\/p><p>All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.<\/p><p>The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.<\/p><p>To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.<\/p><p>It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "208853"}
        , {"_value" : "208854"}
        , {"_value" : "208857"}
        , {"_value" : "208859"}
        , {"_value" : "208860"}
        , {"_value" : "209305"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-21T16:46:59.997Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Service Complaints Ombudsman: Staff"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question 196768, what steps he is taking to ensure the number of full-time investigation officer posts in the office of the Service Complaints Ombudsman's are fully staffed; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1490", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Madeleine Moon"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bridgend"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mrs Madeleine Moon"}
      ], "uin" : "208852"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041760", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041760/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.<\/p><p>The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.<\/p><p>All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.<\/p><p>The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.<\/p><p>To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.<\/p><p>It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "208852"}
        , {"_value" : "208854"}
        , {"_value" : "208857"}
        , {"_value" : "208859"}
        , {"_value" : "208860"}
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        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-21T16:47:00.073Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Service Complaints Ombudsman: Staff"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question 196768, what steps he is taking to ensure the adequacy of staffing levels in the office of the Service Complaints Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1490", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Madeleine Moon"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bridgend"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mrs Madeleine Moon"}
      ], "uin" : "208853"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041762", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041762/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.<\/p><p>The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.<\/p><p>All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.<\/p><p>The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.<\/p><p>To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.<\/p><p>It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "208852"}
        , {"_value" : "208853"}
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        , {"_value" : "208859"}
        , {"_value" : "208860"}
        , {"_value" : "209305"}
        ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-21T16:47:00.12Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Service Complaints Ombudsman: Sick Leave"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question, how many staff in the Service Complaints Ombudsman's office have taken sick leave as a result of stress related illnesses; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1490", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Madeleine Moon"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bridgend"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mrs Madeleine Moon"}
      ], "uin" : "208854"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041765", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041765/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.<\/p><p>The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.<\/p><p>All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.<\/p><p>The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.<\/p><p>To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.<\/p><p>It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
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        , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "208852"}
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        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-21T16:47:00.167Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Service Complaints Ombudsman: Complaints"}
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      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question 196768, what the average length of investigations held by each full-time investigator was; and how many complaints were received relating to the length of time investigations were taking in the office of the Service Complaint Ombudsman in each quarter from March 2017 to 30 September 2018; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1490", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Madeleine Moon"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bridgend"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mrs Madeleine Moon"}
      ], "uin" : "208857"}
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      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1041767/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Service Complaints Ombudsman is provided with an annual budget from defence funds which, under the financial delegation given to her, is used to meet all the costs associated with her independent function.<\/p><p>The Ombudsman's office is staffed by Civil Servants and all job advertisements are posted on the Civil Service Jobs website at the earliest opportunity. On occasions, it has not been possible to attract sufficiently qualified applicants from within the Civil Service with the necessary skills for investigation officer posts. This has led to jobs being advertised externally, a process which takes significantly longer as it requires necessary security vetting.<\/p><p>All posts are subject to the usual churn of staff, some of whom will seek opportunities elsewhere following a two or three-year term. It is, therefore, not surprising that with the establishment of the SCO office in 2015, a number of staff left the Ombudsman's office in the latter part of 2017. Around that time, an internal restructuring was also undertaken which has taken time to bed in.<\/p><p>The number of filled investigation officer posts has now increased to ten, with recruitment ongoing for the remaining post plus another that is due to become vacant in April 2019. I am also aware that the Ombudsman is reviewing her staffing requirements. A review of the office's case handling processes, without detriment to quality, will, I understand, form the basis for this.<\/p><p>To date, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has responded positively to any requests for additional staff from the Ombudsman, including throughout the period when recruitment in the MOD was subject to severe restrictions, and we will of course be happy to fully consider any further requests.<\/p><p>It will take time to collate the detailed information requested on the average length of investigations, recruitment to full-time investigator posts and sick leave. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1487", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
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        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bournemouth East"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Tobias Ellwood"}
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      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his letter of 15 January 2019 in relation to Question 196768 and with reference to the 122 cases currently unallocated within Service Complaints Ombudsman's office, what plans he has to increase the resources available to that office; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1490", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Madeleine Moon"}
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