The below Parliamentary question was asked by Louise Haigh on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what average time his Department took to respond to freedom of information requests in each year since 2005.
Mark Lancaster
The Government publishes statistics on the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 within central government, including on timeliness. These can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Derek Twigg on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many soldiers left the army voluntarily in each year since 2010.
Mark Lancaster
Defence Statistics publish information on a regular basis showing voluntary outflow figures for the Armed Forces, broken down to single Services.
Figures for 2010-11 are available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/280435/1_january_2013.pdf
Figures from 2011-12 to 2014-15 are available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/426880/QPR_Apr2015.pdf
The most recent information is contained in ‘UK Armed Forces Monthly Service Personnel Statistics September 2015’ and associated tables which is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-monthly-service-personnel-statistics-2015
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Virendra Sharma on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the number of spare parts his Department has for equipment no longer in use; and what steps his Department has taken to ensure that spare parts for such equipment are not held in storage.
Mr Philip Dunne
Since the introduction of the Defence Equipment and Support Inventory Management Strategy (IMS) in 2012 the level of obsolete stock held has substantially reduced; currently, items identified as obsolete represent less than 0.2 per cent of the total value of inventory held by the Ministry of Defence. As at 1 April 2015 the IMS has achieved an overall stock reduction of £8.7 billion against a strategic target of £9.5 billion set for 31 March 2016. We are also working with industry to optimise inventory further and reduce the logistics footprint, while supporting operations and maintaining availability to the Front-line Commands.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the total operational cost of UK overseas military bases in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
Penny Mordaunt
The operating costs of overseas bases are not held centrally and some cost elements are not immediately available. I have provided statistics for financial years 2011-12 and 2014-15, and will write to the hon. Member shortly to provide the rest of the information.
|
Base |
Expenditure 2011-12 (£ million) |
2014-15 (£ million) |
|
Belize |
2 |
|
|
Brunei (1) |
66 |
|
|
Canada |
68 |
|
|
Cyprus |
257 |
250 |
|
Diego Garcia |
3 |
|
|
Germany |
907 |
235 |
|
Gibraltar |
71 |
70 |
|
Kenya |
41 |
|
|
Nepal (2) |
11 |
|
|
South Atlantic Islands |
99 |
85 |
Notes:
(1) The majority of the expenditure is funded by the Sultanate of Brunei.
(2) The costs shown are partially offset by income received from UK-delivered training.
These figures represent the cost of operating our permanent bases overseas (including stock consumption, infrastructure, welfare and medical, leases, equipment support) and the cost of employment of the personnel based there.
Decisions on the UK’s permanent military presence overseas will be taken in the Strategic Defence and Security Review. This Government is clear that there will be no reduction in Britain’s influence overseas, and Defence will continue to play a strong global role.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of military operations across Iraq in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
Penny Mordaunt
The net additional cost of Operation SHADER, the name for countering ISIL activity in Iraq and Syria, from the start of operations in August 2014 to the end of the financial year in March 2015 was around £80 million (£35 million of which was allocated for the replenishment cost of munitions to be purchased in 2015-16). For the current financial year, running from April 2015 to March 2016, at Main Estimates the MOD has initially requested a further £45 million.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the uptake of outdoor recreational activities by (a) children, (b) adults and (c) pensioners; and if he will make a statement.
Tracey Crouch
The Government recognises the importance of encouraging more people to take up outdoor recreation. Through Sport England we are investing in a range of outdoor activities for people of all ages.Adults make 2.85 billion visits to the outdoors each year; 568 million visits are with children. The Government is set to present a new sport strategy, which willconsider the role of outdoor recreation in getting the nation active.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian C. Lucas on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office on privatisation of Channel 4 in the last year.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The Secretary of State meets regularly with the Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office to discuss matters relating to DCMS policy. The government has made no decisions regarding reform of Channel 4. The government is considering a range of options as to how best to ensure Channel 4’s future sustainability while maintaining its ability to deliver against its remit, including options put forward by Channel 4.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Howarth on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the extent of gambling addiction in young people in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
Tracey Crouch
The Gambling Commission recently published the findings from a 2015 survey of gambling participation and problem gambling amongst 11-15 year olds. It found that 0.6% of 11-15 year olds being classified as problem gamblers. More information can be found here:
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The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Howarth on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if his Department will use advertising to highlight the negative effects of gambling.
Tracey Crouch
I have had several meetings with groups and individuals concerned about the negative effects of gambling, and have made clear to the industry that it must continue to demonstrate it is taking action to mitigate the risk ofgambling related harm.
Last year, the Governmentannounced a range of player protection measures including a £2 million programme funded by industry to promote responsible gambling, and the Senet group formed in 2014 promote responsible gambling standards, have overseen a range of measures, including a commitment from its members who cover around 80% of Britishlicensedbetting offices – todedicate 20% of shop window advertising to responsible gambling messages, and a TV campaign earlier the year to educate people about the risks of problem gambling.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by George Howarth on 2015-11-03.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has held with the Senet Group on gambling addiction; and if he will make a statement.
Tracey Crouch
I have had several meetings with groups and individuals concerned about the negative effects of gambling, and have made clear to the industry that it must continue to demonstrate it is taking action to mitigate the risk ofgambling related harm.
Last year, the Governmentannounced a range of player protection measures including a £2 million programme funded by industry to promote responsible gambling, and the Senet group formed in 2014 promote responsible gambling standards, have overseen a range of measures, including a commitment from its members who cover around 80% of Britishlicensedbetting offices – todedicate 20% of shop window advertising to responsible gambling messages, and a TV campaign earlier the year to educate people about the risks of problem gambling.