Tag: Nicholas Soames

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-04-26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the UK’s contribution will be to the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.

Penny Mordaunt

The UK has a leading role in the implementation of NATO’s Readiness Action Plan, of which the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) is a part. The UK will contribute to the VJTF in every year between now and 2021 including: a 1,000 strong battle group for the Spanish-led VJTF(Land) in 2016; we will act as the VJTF(Land) Framework Nation in 2017 leading a multinational force that includes up to 3,000 UK personnel, a brigade headquarters and a core package of "enablers", such as engineering and logistics capabilities; and, in 2020 we will provide a 1,000 strong battle group to the Polish-led VJTF(Land).

For 2016 and 2017, the UK will also contribute Airborne Early Warning, Air to Air Refuelling, and Tornado and/or Typhoon aircraft to the VJTF(Air) commitment; and, for the VJTF(Maritime) element, we will provide HMS Ocean as the 2 Star Maritime Component Command, a frigate, and a mine countermeasures vessel.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-05-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Parks about the Plantation and the Royal Park Estate Yard in Hyde Park.

Mr Edward Vaizey

I have had no discussions with the Royal Parks about the estate yard in Hyde Park. Following my decision this year to increase the capital allocation for the parks, my officials have been in discussion with TRP about rebuilding the existing ageing Hyde Park nursery facility. Planning on this is underway and, subject to relevant permissions, when complete will enable the estate to grow 95% of its plants on site in a new more efficient building.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will undertake a review of the reasons for the length of time taken by NHS Property Services to take decisions related to property in (a) West Sussex, (b) Mid Sussex and (c) East Grinstead.

George Freeman

Officials at NHS Property Services (NHSPS) are not aware of any undue delays with regard to decision making in these areas.

As a publically funded company, NHSPS takes its duty to ensure that properties are managed efficiently and that its services and transactions achieve best value both on behalf of the National Health Service and the taxpayer. NHSPS undertakes comprehensive due diligence on all property transactions to ensure all risks and liabilities are managed appropriately before legal documents are executed.

Forthcoming planned work at East Grinstead Health Clinic forms part of a programme of works that is being worked up for 15 properties across Sussex. At East Grinstead, this is likely to focus on:

― Equality Act compliance;

― Fire safety improvement; and

― Roof insulation.

The following table summarises the capital projects underway, planned or proposed for the Mid and West Sussex area. The Company’s primary customers for these projects are Crawley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Horsham and Mid-Sussex CCG who commissioner clinical services and lead development of Local Estate Strategies for the areas they cover.

Location	Project	Value	Current Position
Sidney West Primary Care Centre	Diagnostics refurbishment	To be confirmed	This does not have an approved business case. Confirmation is being sought from the CCGs as to the specification of works they would wish us to undertake. Timescales for delivery cannot be confirmed at this point.
Horsham Hospital	Landlord works: Flooring, windows and roofing	£0.61 million	NHSPS are investing in a package of landlord works within Horsham Hospital including the gym refurbishment, new flooring in key areas and the refurbishment of windows. The works will start in June 2016 and are expected to be complete in October 2016.
Horsham Hospital	Muskoskeletal Physiotherapy (MSK)	£1.20 million	NHSPS are currently delivering the final phase of the MSK programme. The £2.4 million construction works at Horsham and Crawley are being managed by NHS PS as a single project and are due for completion on 20 July 2016.
Crawley Hospital	MSK	£1.20 million	Please see above Horsham MSK position.
Crawley Hospital	Sub-acute ward refurbishment	£3.97 million	This project is for development of a 26 bed step-up/step-down facility housed within the Crawley Hospital red wing 6th floor. Works have been designed and priced. Discussions are expected to conclude in the near future between NHSPS and the CCG on agreed terms of commissioner commitment. It is anticipated that formal approval for the investment will be signed off in June 2016 with works to be completed in November 2016.
Crawley Hospital	Transforming Urgent Care refurbishment	£4.53 million	This project is for development of a combination of a clinical assessment unit, extend paediatrics, urgent treatment centre and an upgraded reception. Works have been designed and priced. Discussions are expected to conclude in the near future between NHSPS and the CCG on agreed terms of commissioner commitment. It is anticipated that formal approval for the investment will be signed off in June 2016 with works to be completed in November 2016.
Crawley Hospital	Landlord works associated with the Sub-acute and Transforming Urgent Care projects	£0.70 million	Subject to the final approval of the Sub-acute and Transforming Urgent Care customer projects NHSPS intend to invest in additional landlord works to ensure the supporting infrastructure matches the updated patient facilities.
Crawley Hospital	Landlord works: Fire compartmentalisation and safety upgrade	£2.50 million	The Crawley Hospital red wing is viewed strategically as the core building of the hospital complex. NHSPS are investing in essential landlord works to guarantee the safe and effective back office functions of the hospital infrastructure. Included within this scheme are a review and reconfiguration of fire safety zones, replacement of fire doors, removal of asbestos and improvements to the water supply system. These works will be complete in October 2016.
Crawley Hospital	Theatre Air Handling Unit lifecycle replacement	£0.36 million	NHSPS have addressed the end-of-life-status of physical assets, with planned investment that future proofs the Crawley Hospital facilities. An example the planned renewal of the theatre air conditioning systems which will accommodate increased theatre activity and utilise energy efficient systems to improve upon the previous infrastructure. Installation is expected to be completed in November 2016.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many sailors have been recruited to the Royal Navy in each of the last five years.

Mike Penning

The number of Royal Navy personnel (excluding Royal Marines) recruited in each of the last five financial years is as follows:

	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16
Officers	240	240	250	320	340
Ratings	1,250	1,430	1,930	1,890	1,920
Total Intake	1,490	1,670	2,170	2,210	2,250

In accordance with Departmental policy figures are rounded to the nearest 10 – totals may not always equal the sum of their rounded parts.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2016-09-13.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the targets were for recruitment for each of the armed forces in each of the last five years.

Mike Penning

Information on the targets for recruitment for each of the Armed Forces in each of the last five years is shown below.

Financial Year	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16
Regular Naval Service	2,230	2,925	3,433	3,260	3,571
Maritime Reserves1	–	–	–	740	760
Royal Fleet Auxiliary	36	52	122	353	336
Total Naval Service	2,266	2,977	3,555	4,353	4,667
Regular Army Service	11,190	10,300	7,020	8,160	7,320
Army Reserves1	–	–	–	4,900	7,270
Total Army Service	11,190	10,300	10,575	13,060	14,590
Regular Royal Air Force Service	1,561	1,586	1,731	2,212	2,670
Royal Air Force Reserves1	–	–	–	600	750
Total Royal Air Force Service	1,561	1,586	1,731	2,812	3,420

Notes:

¹ There are no figures for these periods as centralised recruitment targets were not set until October 2013 following publication of the Reserves White paper.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-10-30.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the earnings from UK overseas assets were in each of the last 30 years.

Greg Hands

Earnings from UK overseas assets are below.

Year Earnings From Overseas Assets
(£bn)
1985 50.1
1986 45.5
1987 46.4
1988 54.6
1989 71.7
1990 76.5
1991 73.9
1992 65.4
1993 71.2
1994 72.9
1995 85.8
1996 90.1
1997 96.2
1998 105.9
1999 103.4
2000 134.5
2001 139.9
2002 124.2
2003 124.9
2004 140.9
2005 193.0
2006 249.3
2007 307.9
2008 287.9
2009 175.1
2010 174.0
2011 200.0
2012 170.4
2013 148.5
2014 141.1

Further information can be found in the ONS UK Balance of Payments.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-11-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many nationals aged (a) between 15 and 64 and (b) over 65 from each EEA country were granted British citizenship in each year from 1997-98 to 2014-15.

James Brokenshire

The latest available Home Office immigration statistics on grants of British citizenship by age, sex, geographical region and year of grant are published in ‘Immigration Statistics, April-June 2015’ table cz_05 for 2002 to 2014, available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office website at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-statistics

Corresponding data for 2015 will be published on 26 May 2016. Information is not available for periods prior to 2002.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-11-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much was spent from the public purse on the payment of social security benefits to non-UK citizens in each European Economic Area country for each year from 1997-98 to 2014-15.

Priti Patel

The full information requested is not held centrally.

The Department for Work and Pensions checks the nationality and immigration status of benefit claimants to ensure the benefit is paid properly and to prevent fraud. While this information is used, it is not recorded as part of the benefit payment administrative systems.

Benefit Expenditure and Caseload tables are published on Gov.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/474453/expenditure-by-country-and-region-2014-15.xlsx

Please note that these figures include a breakdown for UK regions and a combined figure for expenditure abroad or where the region is unknown. Expenditure is not broken down by nationality.

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-11-25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the confidence of farmers operating in the dairy sector; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice

The Government understands that many dairy farmers currently find themselves in a difficult position. We hope the recently announced EU support package we secured will offer some relief while we continue to pursue a host of additional measures, such as the creation of a futures market for dairy and better branding and labelling in supermarkets. 81% of dairy farmers across the UK have now received their payment.

We continue to work closely with farming unions to improve the stability of the industry as a whole and help farming businesses become more resilient. This will prepare us to benefit from the growing demand for British dairy both at home and overseas.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-12-04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 2.64 of the Spending Review and Autumn Statement 2015, which education-related statutory duties on local authorities she plans to remove; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Sam Gyimah

Savings of £600 million will be made by reducing the Education Services Grant (ESG), including phasing out the additional funding that goes to schools and local authorities. We will be making a small efficiency saving (around £80 million) from the ESG in 2016-17, and will be setting out our proposals for savings from 2017-18 in the New Year. This will include consulting on the details of the statutory duties that will be removed.