Tag: Jeffrey M. Donaldson

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeffrey M. Donaldson on 2016-01-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to improve the attendance of reservists at weekly drills, training exercises and medical assessments.

Mr Julian Brazier

The majority of Reserve personnel train on a regular basis, effectively balancing their commitment to their Service with the competing demands of a busy modern life. The Ministry of Defence recognises and rewards reservists’ commitment to our nation in various ways.

We have provided better equipment, and more opportunities for interesting and challenging experiences, including exercises, adventurous training and overseas training.

Volunteer reservists are paid for attendance at training and also receive a tax-exempt training bounty provided they fulfil their Service’s annual training requirement including a two week camp or course. They have also received an annual paid leave entitlement since 1 April 2013.

In addition, since April 2015, reservists have been eligible for the new Armed Forces Pension Scheme for non-mobilised service, based on paid attendance.

These are just some examples of the actions the Department has taken to demonstrate that reservists are valued and valuable.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeffrey M. Donaldson on 2016-01-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans she has to participate in events to commemorate the centenary of the (a) Easter Rising and (b) Battle of the Somme.

Mrs Theresa Villiers

One of the Northern Ireland Office’s objectives for the commemoration of the decade of centenaries of 1912-1922 is to work with the Irish Government to promote greater understanding of our shared history and promote reconciliation.

2016 will mark the centenary of a number of significant events including the Easter Rising, the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland. The Northern Ireland Office is working with colleagues in DCMS and others to prepare for a number of these commemorations. All invitations received are being considered on a case by case basis.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeffrey M. Donaldson on 2016-01-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to ensure that checks on the complement and manning limit of reservist regiments are performed regularly and on time.

Mr Julian Brazier

The Reserve is a vital component of the Army’s military capability and the Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring it continues to grow and contains the correct capability mix. There are a series of mechanisms to ensure this is the case.

The Secretary of State chairs regular meetings to review manning levels in the Army Reserve. In addition, manning levels are routinely reviewed through the Defence People and Training Board, Defence Board Meetings and a series of holding-to-account processes.

The Army also monitors the size and shape of its Reserve through bi-monthly boards, whilst the Executive Committee of the Army Board reviews manning levels on a quarterly basis.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeffrey M. Donaldson on 2016-01-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on the oral and written evidence provided by the Government to the Joint Committee on the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill.

Mrs Theresa Villiers

I have been in regular contact with the Home Secretary on the Investigatory Powers Bill since drafting began last year. The Government is fully aware of the crucial importance of this legislation for combating terrorism in Northern Ireland. In November, the Home Secretary and I met to discuss the pre-legislative scrutiny process and the latest draft of the Bill that has been examined by the Joint Committee.

Between November and January, the Government provided detailed evidence to the Joint Committee, including the Home Secretary’s oral evidence given last week. The Government’s evidence has explained the provisions of the Bill in detail and has set out the necessity of the powers as well as the safeguards that are to apply.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeffrey M. Donaldson on 2014-06-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many freedom of information requests to her Department remain unanswered after (a) 20 and (b) 90 days on 1 April 2014; and which freedom of information requests to her Department on what subjects remain unanswered.

Mrs Theresa Villiers

At 1 April 2014, there was one request remaining unanswered after 20 days and one request remaining unanswered after 90 days. The subject matters associated with these unanswered requests relate to the arm shipments in the 1970s and 1980s from Libya to Ireland, and matters relating to a High Court injunction concerning the release of inquest papers by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jeffrey M. Donaldson on 2014-06-05.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans she has to reappoint the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland.

Mrs Theresa Villiers

In May, I reappointed William Smith to the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland for a further five year term. There is currently one remaining vacancy in the position of member and I plan to launch a competition to fill this position in the autumn. This will ensure that the Commission will have its full complement of members well in advance of when preparations need to commence for the next review of Parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland, which is likely to be around late 2015.