The below Parliamentary question was asked by Gerald Kaufman on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 7 January 2015 from the right hon. Member for Manchester Gorton with regards to Mrs J Heron.
Mrs Helen Grant
A reply to his letter dated 7 January 2015 was issued to the Right Hon. Member for Manchester Gorton on 16 February 2015.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Luff on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the first recruitment of Gurkha soldiers into the British Army.
Anna Soubry
Gurkhas hold a special place in the hearts of the British people and we will be celebrating our close and enduring relationship over the bicentenary. The Brigade of Gurkhas will be holding many events this year, including a parade and memorial service in Whitehall in April. Gurkha units will also be conducting public duties as the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace, and at the Tower of London during May.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria he is using to decide the future location of the Household Cavalry Regiment.
Anna Soubry
There are no plans to move the Household Cavalry Regiment from their current location in Combermere Barracks, Windsor.
A study is being conducted into the future use of the Department’s central London estate, including the current location of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in Hyde Park Barracks. Any decision to relocate the Regiment will be based on the ability to deliver alternative facilities which meet the Regiment’s operational and infrastructure requirements, and the demonstration of value for money for the Defence budget.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Miss Anne McIntosh on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress he has made on strengthening the Armed Forces Covenant.
Anna Soubry
The Armed Forces Covenant annual report, laid before the house on 16 December 2014, sets out the tremendous progress that was made during 2014. For a summary of the key points I refer the hon. Member to the written statement provided by my right hon Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Fallon) on 16 December 2014, (Official Report, columns 82-83WS).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average number of days training of full-time equivalent staff employed in his Department was in each of the last three financial years.
Anna Soubry
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to helping all employees realise their full potential. This is why all civilian staff are strongly encouraged to take up the offer of completing five days training each year. I am pleased to report that the Department is investing an additional £10 million to develop the skills of our civilian personnel.
The MOD does not hold information centrally on the average number of days training of full-time equivalent staff. Some data is available from Civil Service Learning for the period July 2012 – June 2013. This showed that the average number of days training of full-time equivalent staff via Civil Service Learning was 1.3 days per head.
However, this is not a true indication of the total number of days training staff have undertaken, as staff may receive training through a variety of other measures. The Defence Academy undertakes training and development which is specific to Defence, including command and staff courses, languages, acquisition and technology training for military and civilian personnel. It also has a considerable range of leadership, management, project management and commercial training which is specific to Defence.
The Defence Learning Portal hosts e-learning including a wide range of military and technical training, and mandatory training for civilian and military personnel. This is complemented by a range of learning and development opportunities available to predominately civilian staff, through Civil Service Learning.
There is also a range of other activities such as coaching, mentoring, shadowing and 360 degree feedback which count towards five training days a year, but may not be recorded officially.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Harvey on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assistance the Atomic Weapons Establishment is receiving from the US authorities on Project Pegasus.
Mr Philip Dunne
Officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) regularly discuss a range of nuclear matters with their US counterparts under the auspices of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement. These matters include aspects of the capital investment programme at AWE, of which Pegasus forms a part.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Harvey on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when construction work on Box A of Project Pegasus at the Atomic Weapons Establishment started.
Mr Philip Dunne
Pegasus is the replacement Highly Enriched Uranium component manufacturing and storage facility, and forms part of the Government’s programme of investment in the Atomic Weapons Establishment sites.
Preparatory work on Box A started in May 2013 and construction work began in August 2013.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what guidance his Department provides to its managers on how many days training should be made available to staff.
Anna Soubry
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to helping all employees realise their full potential. This is why all civilian staff are strongly encouraged to take up the offer of completing five days training each year. I am pleased to report that the Department is investing an additional £10 million to develop the skills of our civilian personnel.
The MOD does not hold information centrally on the average number of days training of full-time equivalent staff. Some data is available from Civil Service Learning for the period July 2012 – June 2013. This showed that the average number of days training of full-time equivalent staff via Civil Service Learning was 1.3 days per head.
However, this is not a true indication of the total number of days training staff have undertaken, as staff may receive training through a variety of other measures. The Defence Academy undertakes training and development which is specific to Defence, including command and staff courses, languages, acquisition and technology training for military and civilian personnel. It also has a considerable range of leadership, management, project management and commercial training which is specific to Defence.
The Defence Learning Portal hosts e-learning including a wide range of military and technical training, and mandatory training for civilian and military personnel. This is complemented by a range of learning and development opportunities available to predominately civilian staff, through Civil Service Learning.
There is also a range of other activities such as coaching, mentoring, shadowing and 360 degree feedback which count towards five training days a year, but may not be recorded officially.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Harvey on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the decision to review the scope and delivery schedule for Project Pegasus at the Atomic Weapons Establishment was taken; and when he expects a revised scope and delivery schedule to be approved.
Mr Philip Dunne
Consistent with industry best practice for all projects, Pegasus is under regular review. If a project requires a revised approval then this may be sought once a robust evidence base has been established.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2015-02-12.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department’s training budget was in each of the last three financial years.
Anna Soubry
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 3 March 2015 to Question 224510.
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