Tag: Lord Touhig

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Touhig on 2016-03-14.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many British air strikes in (1) Syria, and (2) Iraq, have been conducted since 2 December 2015, and what assessment they have made of their effectiveness.

Earl Howe

The UK military campaign in Iraq and Syria is part of a wider Coalition effort to counter Daesh. Between 2 December 2015 and 14 March 2016 there were 36 UK airstrikes in Syria and 236 in Iraq. These airstrikes have contributed significantly to the coalition’s wider efforts, which are placing Daesh under increasing pressure in both Syria and Iraq. Among the targets successfully engaged by UK aircraft were oil facilities, which Daesh used to generate revenue to fund their campaign, and command and control centres. UK aircraft have also lent direct assistance to regional ground forces, which have achieved notable successes in retaking territory from Daesh.

All UK strikes are undertaken as part of a rigorous targeting process, which assesses before, during and after a strike to ensure that the Law of Armed Conflict is adhered to.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Touhig on 2016-10-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Earl Howe on 13 September (HL Deb, col 1389), when a Royal Navy vessel requires repair and on-board engineers are unable to resolve the problem without the help of other, more specialist, engineers how this will be achieved without the support of RFA Diligence.

Earl Howe

Should on-board engineers be unable to resolve a problem with any ship or submarine, there is a range of ways in which operational maintenance and repair can be delivered. This can include the deployment of a Royal Navy repair and maintenance party, or utilising well-established commercial arrangements and international agreements, such as the use of other countries’ bases and facilities. This is particularly the case where resources and facilities are not available within the Ministry of Defence or are more effectively provided by a third party.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Touhig on 2016-03-14.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) regulars, and (2) reserves, joined the Armed Forces in November 2015.

Earl Howe

In November 2015 1,180 personnel joined the UK Regular Armed Forces and 710 personnel joined the Reserves.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Touhig on 2016-03-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the suitability of the length of the current UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) contract, and how the length of that contract compares to previous contracts for the UKMFTS.

Earl Howe

The current UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) contract with Ascent Flight Training began in 2008 and will run for 25 years. Contract duration was a key user requirement and was endorsed prior to contract signature. Previous provision of military flying training was delivered through an array of contracts with multiple providers and varying lengths. As such, these contracts cannot be directly compared to the single tri-service training system partner model employed by UKMFTS.

The Ministry of Defence has not received any representations regarding the duration of the overarching UKMFTS contract.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Touhig on 2016-03-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have received regarding the UK Military Flying Training System contract, in particular regarding the length of that contract.

Earl Howe

The current UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) contract with Ascent Flight Training began in 2008 and will run for 25 years. Contract duration was a key user requirement and was endorsed prior to contract signature. Previous provision of military flying training was delivered through an array of contracts with multiple providers and varying lengths. As such, these contracts cannot be directly compared to the single tri-service training system partner model employed by UKMFTS.

The Ministry of Defence has not received any representations regarding the duration of the overarching UKMFTS contract.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Touhig on 2016-03-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many service personnel they estimate will be trained under the UK Military Flying Training System contract, and how that number compares to previous programmes.

Earl Howe

The current contracted requirement is for 180 pilots and 110 rear crew to be trained as new entrants under the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS).

The UKMFTS solution has been designed to meet the training requirement agreed across all front line commands. This is the same process as employed for historic provision of military flying training, where the requirement has fluctuated over time. Pre-SDSR 2010, the new entrant training requirement was for 280 pilots and 170 rear crew.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Touhig on 2015-11-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent assessment they have made of morale in the Defence Medical Services.

Earl Howe

The Defence Medical Services (DMS) Continuous Attitude Survey (CAS) was completed in June 2015 and contained specific questions about morale.

The survey included a question to personnel asking "What is the level of morale like where you work?" 35% of respondents reported that the level of morale is either ‘high’ or ‘very high’ with 34% reporting it as ‘neutral’.

The results of the CAS have been considered by the Surgeon General and DMS Board.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Touhig on 2016-04-14.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the annual operating cost of the Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College.

Earl Howe

The annual operating cost for the Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College for academic year 1 September 2015 to 31 August 2016 is £14,532,603.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Touhig on 2015-11-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase staff retention in the Defence Medical Services.

Earl Howe

The Defence Medical Services (DMS) takes very seriously the issue of retention and ensures the views expressed by personnel in exit interviews, conducted when they leave the Service, inform policy in this area.

There are no Financial Retention Incentives for personnel within the DMS as a whole. However, the Royal Navy has introduced Financial Retention Incentives for Submariner Medical Assistants based on their Return of Service. In addition, Medical and Dental Officers, Nurses (Officers and Other Ranks) and Veterinary Officers have bespoke pay spines which are seen as retention positive. Specialist Nurses are also able to claim Recruitment and Retention Pay.

There are a number of non-remunerative incentives for DMS personnel and these include access to funded Continuing Professional Development courses; career opportunities outside the main clinical roles and responsibilities; inter trade transfers (predominantly from Combat Medical Technicians and Medical Assistants into an Allied Health Professional trade or Nursing) and the availability of post graduate training.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Touhig on 2016-06-06.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the regular army annual recruitment target for each year from 2015–16 to 2020–21.

Earl Howe

The Army’s annual recruitment targets for regulars for each year from 2015 to 2021 are as follows:

*These figures do not include the Royal Gibraltar Regiment.