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 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate he has made of the unit production cost of the Joint Strike Fighter.
Mr Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence routinely monitors the unit production cost for the Joint Strike Fighter as part of its normal procurement activity. The Department does not publish cost estimates as to do so would undermine its commercial position.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the conflict in Central African Republic as described in UN OCHA Central African Republic Situation Report No. 2.
Mark Simmonds
Reports from the Central African Republic (CAR), including those of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), show that the country remains beset by violence and instability. We welcome the vital ongoing work of African Union, French and EU security forces, without whom the situation would likely be far worse. The UK will continue to work with the UN to ensure the effective deployment of the UN Peacekeeping Operation (MINUSCA), and with the AU to support MISCA’s efforts ahead of the transition to MINUSCA. I last discussed the situation in CAR with interim President Catherine Samba-Panza on 23 May.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason his Department did not provide an ICT hosting environment for Capita on time for the Recruiting Partnering Project.
Anna Soubry
A number of factors contributed to the problems experienced with the Information Communication Technology hosting environment provided for Capita. I refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State for Defence’s (Philip Hammond) response to an Urgent Question from the hon. Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) on 14 January 2014 (Official Report, column 715).
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) actual and (b) simulated flight hours pilots need to adjust from a fast jet with a heads-up-display to one with only a helmet mounted display.
Mr Philip Dunne
The adjustment from a fast jet aircraft with a heads-up display to one with a helmet mounted display cannot be quantified in hours as pilots are trained to operate the aircraft as a whole.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which companies tendered for the Portsmouth Harbour dredging contract.
Mr Philip Dunne
The contract to dredge Portsmouth Harbour is expected to be awarded in April 2015 and is worth £20 million to £40 million. Work will commence following the appointment of the successful bidder, and will be completed ahead of HMS Queen Elizabeth’s arrival in late 2016.
The bidders for the contract are Boskalis Westminster Ltd, Van Oord UK Ltd and Dredging International NV.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-04-29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what satellites currently use facilities at West Freugh for data transmission.
Mr Philip Dunne
The satellite reception capability at the West Freugh site is currently used to receive satellite observed environmental data (meteorological, oceanographic and observed weather) from several different satellite sources. I am withholding details of specific satellites as disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the major factors that could change the unit production cost of the Joint Strike Fighter.
Mr Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence has a comprehensive understanding of all major factors that effect unit production cost. These are constantly managed as part of our procurement and risk management process.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what co-operation programmes between the UK and Thailand there are; and what steps he has taken to review that co-operation.
Mr Hugo Swire
The UK and Thailand have strong bilateral ties which are exemplified by a range of activities and programmes across the political, commercial, and cultural spectrum, for example strong trading and tourism links. We want our bilateral relationship to prosper, but in view of the rapid and serious deterioration of the democratic environment, we are reviewing the scope of our cooperation with Thailand. We are particularly concerned by restrictions on the freedoms of assembly, association and expression, and by the large numbers of arbitrary detentions we have seen since the coup was announced.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information and communications technology projects his Department has implemented (a) to the original deadline and on budget and (b) after the original deadline and over budget in the last 10 years.
Mr Philip Dunne
The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.