Tag: Kevan Jones

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total value of payouts to armed forces veterans and their families under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme as a result of service in Afghanistan has been in each year since 2010.

Anna Soubry

It is not possible to provide the value of payouts made to Armed Forces veterans and their families under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme as a result of service in Afghanistan as the information is not held in a format that would enable us to easily answer the question and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The AFPS is primarily an occupational pension scheme, the Pensions Computer system does not identify the conflicts in which Service Personnel have served.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2014-07-15.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average length of time taken to process settlements for the War Pensions Scheme has been in each year since 2010.

Anna Soubry

The average length of time taken to process claims under the War Pensions Scheme in each year since 2010 has been;

2010-11 – 39 working days
2011-12 – 51 working days
2012-13 – 82 working days
2013-14 – 110 working days
2014-15 year to 31 July – 102 working days

In the majority of cases deadlines for progressing cases are met. The War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes are jointly resourced and administered. The impact of the implementation of the Boyce Review on the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (Cm 7798, published February 2010) and its subsequent publicity campaign, combined with an increase in the number of applications for War Disablement Pension (linked to more people with pre-April 2005 service reaching the end of their engagement), led to delays in processing prospective claims.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2014-06-25.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what rules and guidance there are on Cabinet Members discussing matters related to their ministerial portfolio with members of the public who are not their constituents at a constituency surgery or other constituency event.

Mr Francis Maude

The Ministerial Code sets out the standards of conduct expected of Ministers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what background checks his Department undertook on Lord Lingfield’s charitable foundation before the transfer of the wreck of HMS Victory 1744.

Mr Edward Vaizey

Following the 2010 public consultation on options for the management of the wreck site of HMS Victory 1744 it was decided to place responsibility for the future management of the site on a charitable trust. The Maritime Heritage Foundation (MHF) was a newly formed charity and its objectives ‘to recover, preserve and display in public museums, to promote knowledge and understanding of our maritime heritage through educational projects’ were considered to be well suited for the management of the wreck site. No additional checks were made because the MHF is a registered charity under the auspices of the Charity Commission and subject to its rules and regulations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel undertook phase two training for the Royal Marine Band Service at the Royal Marine School of Music in 2013-14.

Anna Soubry

The requested detail for Financial Year 2013-14 is provided below:

No personnel undertook phase two training with the RAF Music Services. The RAF recruits are fully trained musicians who undertake a rigorous audition process and are only admitted once their playing ability is proven.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel undertook phase two training for the regular army band at Kneller Hall in 2013-14.

Anna Soubry

The requested detail for Financial Year 2013-14 is provided below:

No personnel undertook phase two training with the RAF Music Services. The RAF recruits are fully trained musicians who undertake a rigorous audition process and are only admitted once their playing ability is proven.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2015-02-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to his Department was of providing Phase two training for the Royal Air Force Music Services at the Headquarters Music Services, Northolt in 2013-14.

Anna Soubry

The requested detail for Financial Year 2013-14 is provided below:

No personnel undertook phase two training with the RAF Music Services. The RAF recruits are fully trained musicians who undertake a rigorous audition process and are only admitted once their playing ability is proven.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2014-06-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Audit Office report, Army 2020, HC 263, published on 11 June 2014, page 25, if he will provide details of (a) the 167 implementation orders that his Department has already issued as part of the Army 2020 reforms and (b) any implementation orders which have yet to be issued.

Mr Mark Francois

Implementation Orders are used to communicate structural changes within the Army. As at June 2014 over 170 orders have been issued for Army 2020. The Ministry of Defence does not routinely publish details of internal military orders.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2014-06-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department will issue a formal response to the National Audit Office report, Army 2020, HC 263, published on 11 June 2014.

Mr Mark Francois

The Ministry of Defence will respond to the NAO’s report in line with Government practice for such reports.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Kevan Jones on 2014-06-12.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide details of the current workforce model for the Army Reserve that his Department is using to assess how long it will take to recruit the required number of 30,000 reserves; and when under the current model that target will be met.

Anna Soubry

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement and paper my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Philip Hammond) placed in the Library of the House on 19 Dec 2013 (Official report, column 124WS).