The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many suitably qualified and experienced RAF personnel his Department has required for aircraft maintenance in each location in each of the last three years; and how many such posts were vacant in each location in each such year.
Anna Soubry
A table that provides the data requested is attached.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason an Apache helicopter had to make an emergency landing outside Aberdeen during Exercise Joint Warrior.
Mr Philip Dunne
The Apache helicopter was taking part in a biannual joint multi national exercise and was travelling from West Freugh to Kinloss when the crew were given a warning notice. They followed correct flight procedures and safely conducted an emergency landing.
An engineering fault investigation report identified a failure with the oil pump and the engine is now being replaced before further engineering checks are conducted and the aircraft is cleared to fly.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last discussed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty with his counterparts from the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement.
Dr Andrew Murrison
The Secretary of State discusses a range of topics with his counterparts from the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council, including subjects related to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. However, engagement with our international partners on this Treaty is led by the Foreign Secretary.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Alison Seabeck on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of armoured fighting vehicles which will be (a) returned to the UK, (d) destroyed or (c) sold by the time of the main withdrawal from Afghanistan; and what the costs associated with each of those categories are to date.
Mr Mark Francois
All armoured fighting vehicles deployed to Afghanistan will be returned to the UK. None of these have been destroyed and none are currently due to be sold.
The information on costs associated with this activity cannot be readily broken out from the wider costs of all equipment and personnel recovery.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Naomi Long on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department spent on (a) armed forces recruitment and (b) armed forces recruitment marketing in 2012-13.
Anna Soubry
The Ministry of Defence does not report the costs of recruitment marketing separately. The costs detailed in the following table show the total cost of regular recruiting by Service and include manpower costs; marketing campaigns (specific advertising); marketing operations (provision of the recruiting process i.e. call centres and website maintenance), and contract costs (i.e. medical and fitness testing).It should be noted that despite the redundancy notice, the Armed Forces are required to constantly recruit every year to maintain the levels of young personnel entering the three services.
|
Financial Year |
Royal Navy |
Army |
Royal Air Force |
TOTAL |
|
2012-13 |
£33.2million |
£122.8million |
£35.4million |
£191.4million |
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Simon Kirby on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what representations he has received from the charity sector about the effect of gambling addiction; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs Helen Grant
I meet with a number of stakeholders to discuss their concerns. These stakeholders include problem gambling charities, faith groups and the Gambling Commission. The Government also received a number of representations from the charity sector to its 2013 consultation on the Triennial Review of Gaming Machine Stake and Prize Limits.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Caroline Lucas on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which research studies used by his Department in formulating policy on fixed odds betting terminals (a) have and (b) have not received industry funding or support; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs Helen Grant
The Government considers a wide range of available research when formulating gambling policy. The Government is mindful of the provenance of research, and its funding source, when interpreting findings.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Percy on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many schools will benefit from his broadband rollout for schools.
Mr Edward Vaizey
The Government has committed £780million to help deliver superfast broadband to 95 per cent of UK premises by 2017. We do not have data on the specific number of schools that would benefit from the programme. Public sector broadband requirements would be the managed by the department or local authority with responsibility for delivering the relevant policy.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Roger Godsiff on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2014, Official Report, column 800W, on Business Improvement Districts: Birmingham, when he expects to publish the report on the Business Improvement District for Sparkbrook and Springfield, or to reach a decision on that matter.
Brandon Lewis
A decision will be taken on the appeal against the establishment of the Sparkbrook and Springfield Business Improvement District in due course and all interested parties will be informed.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Mark Menzies on 2014-04-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that the wishes of the local people and decisions of the local council are given priority in appeal decisions by the Planning Inspectorate.
Nick Boles
Planning is a quasi-judicial process; it is a long-standing feature of the planning system that there is a right of appeal, just as there are with other local quasi-judicial decisions such as on licensing applications, gambling applications or parking fines.
The Localism Act 2011 has strengthened the role of Local Plans and abolished the last Administration’s top-down Regional Strategies. Our streamlined National Planning Policy Framework strongly encourages areas to get up-to-date Local Plans in place, and we have been actively supporting councils in doing so. Local Plans now set the framework in which decisions on particular applications are taken, whether locally or at appeal, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
Once adopted a neighbourhood plan will also become part of the area’s statutory development plan – an example of this Government’s localist agenda. Both local and neighbourhood plans are founded on thorough community involvement and are subject to public examination and consultation. Almost 1,000 communities have applied for a neighbourhood planning area to be designated, with 850 areas now designated.
Planning inspectors will take full account of all the evidence that is before them, including representations made by local residents and other interested parties. Each representation should be considered on their merits, paying careful regard to the relevant policy and material planning considerations.
Since the National Planning Policy Framework was introduced, the number of appeals received has fallen as has the number allowed. The quality of local decisions also remains high – 99 per cent of decisions are made locally with only approximately 1 per cent of planning applications overturned on appeal. Housing starts and housing construction are also up, as are permissions for new homes. This means there is more local decision-making, and our reforms are supporting badly-needed new homes within a locally-led planning system.