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  • Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    Tim Loughton – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Loughton on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether recommendations from the Independent Experts Panel on Serious Case Reviews to Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards are advisory.

    Mr Edward Timpson

    ‘Working Together’ states that local safeguarding children boards “should have regard to the panel’s advice when deciding whether or not to initiate a serious case review (SCR), when appointing reviewers and when considering publication of SCR reports.”

  • Dan Jarvis – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Dan Jarvis – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Dan Jarvis on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the number of (a) aggravated assaults against members of the armed forces and (b) times members of the armed forces were discriminated against in bars, restaurants and hotels in each year since 2003.

    Anna Soubry

    This information is not held by the Department.

  • Chris Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Chris Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Leslie on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which 10 consultancy firms were paid the most by his Department in the last financial year; and how much each of those firms was paid.

    Anna Soubry

    The top ten companies which provided external assistance to the Ministry of Defence in financial year 2012-13 are listed in the attached table.

  • Chi Onwurah – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Chi Onwurah – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chi Onwurah on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to promote the commercialisation of scientific and technological research by his Department and its agencies.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    The National Security through Technology White Paper(Cm 8278) lays out our commitment to open procurement, and that the Department and its agencies will conduct research and development only where it is essential for our national security.

    The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), a Ministry of Defence (MOD) Trading Fund, delivers the majority of the MOD’s Science and Technology Programme. Any ideas generated within Dstl can be commercialised through Ploughshare Innovations Ltd, a technology transfer company owned by Dstl.

    Where external suppliers are contracted, the MOD leaves the intellectual property rights of any discovery or technology with those suppliers to commercialise. The MOD retains rights to disclose and use the intellectual property for UK Government purposes.

  • Lucy Powell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Lucy Powell – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lucy Powell on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many jobs have been transferred from the public to the private sector as a result of privatisations or outsourcing by his Department since May 2010.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    Transfer of work from the public to the private sector continues to be considered, among other options, as a way to deliver the savings set out at the Spending Review and to increase the efficiency of Government. The Department ensures that the staff involved in such transfers are treated fairly and consistently and that their terms and conditions are protected through Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) arrangements.

    A full breakdown of civilian outflow from the MOD, including through privatisation of function, is provided in the MOD Quarterly Civilian Personnel Reports. The latest version (as at 1 January 2014, published on 6 February 2014) can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284487/civilian-personnel-report-1_january_2014.pdf

  • Madeleine Moon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Madeleine Moon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Madeleine Moon on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2014, Official Report, column 650W, on armed forces: disciplinary proceedings, what the (a) number and (b) total sum was of ex gratia or other payments made to armed forces personnel incorrectly doubly punished following a police caution; and if he will make a statement.

    Anna Soubry

    No such ex-gratia payments have been made.

  • Madeleine Moon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Madeleine Moon – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Madeleine Moon on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) trucks for bridging, (b) medium girder bridges, (c) medium over girder bridges, (d) air portable ferry bridges, (e) pontoon sets, (f) LSB bridge and ramp sets and (g) launch sets are owned by his Department; how many are stored at MoD Ashchurch; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    The following table summarises the requested vehicles and bridging equipment, and the quantity currently held by the Defence Support Group at Ashchurch:

    Equipment Asset

    Total Assets Held

    Quantity Held by DSG at Ashchurch

    Automotive Bridge Laying Equipment

    29

    11

    Bridging Vehicle

    64

    28

    Truck Bridge Transporter

    45

    12

    Pontoon Set

    3

    3

    Air Portable Ferry Bridge

    11

    2

    Air Portable Ferry Bridge Trailers

    66

    23

    Air Portable Bridge Powered Pontoons

    22

    10

    Air Portable Ferry Bridge Pontoons

    44

    16

    Medium Girder Bridges

    9

    1

    Medium Girder Over Bridges

    33

    3

    Logistic Support Bridge

    18

    7

    Logistic Support Bridge Adjustable Ramp

    17

    9

    Logistic Support Bridge Pier Set

    3

    2

    Logistic Support Bridge Foot Walk

    3

    2

    Logistic Support Bridge Distributions Beam

    5

    4

    Logistic Support Bridge Span Junction

    7

    4

    Logistic Support Bridge Launching Set

    17

    9

    Logistic Support Bridge Long Span Set

    8

    3
  • Chris Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Chris Leslie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Chris Leslie on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which five companies were used most often to provide temporary workers for his Department in the last financial year; and how much in agency fees was paid to each of them.

    Anna Soubry

    The Ministry of Defence uses a process called “manpower substitution” to engage temporary staff at agreed fixed rates on a national basis through a number of contracts. Manpower substitutes are employed for up to 11 months to fill vacant, funded posts. The majority are brought in to fill medical and dental requirements at military medical centres to cover for military positions that are vacant due to deployment into operational theatre. This enables the medical services to continue to provide the best possible care to members of the Armed Forces.

    The five companies most frequently used by the Ministry of Defence in Financial Year 2013-14 to provide temporary workers, and the associated fees paid to each, are presented in the following table:

    Company

    Type of worker

    Number of Temporary Workers

    Fees Paid

    HoneyBee

    Medical & Dental

    790

    £3.46m

    CastleRock Ltd

    Medical & Dental

    490

    £2.61m

    Capita Resourcing

    Interim Professionals

    320

    £2.07m

    Hayes

    Medical & Dental

    190

    £0.59m

    Reed

    Clerical & Admin

    160

    £0.11m

    The figures provided for Capita Resourcing cover the period from April 2013 to March 2014. All other data cover the period April 2013 to February 2014. Data is extracted from the MOD’s centralised Manpower Substitution Service database and does not include any localised arrangements that individual Top Level Budget holders may have with other companies.

  • Bridget Phillipson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Bridget Phillipson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bridget Phillipson on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department’s notice 2014DIN01-032, Increase in the rate of excess fares allowance from 6 April 2014.

    Anna Soubry

    Copies of the Department’s notice on the revision of the cost of living addition salary bands (2014DIN01-021) and the increase in the rate of excess fares allowance from 6 April 2014 (2014DIN01-032) have been placed in the Library of the House.

  • Bridget Phillipson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    Bridget Phillipson – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bridget Phillipson on 2014-04-07.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department’s notice 2014DIN01-021, Revision of cost-of-living addition salary bands.

    Anna Soubry

    Copies of the Department’s notice on the revision of the cost of living addition salary bands (2014DIN01-021) and the increase in the rate of excess fares allowance from 6 April 2014 (2014DIN01-032) have been placed in the Library of the House.