Tag: Nicholas Soames

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 2015-10-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of Key Stage 2 results in West Sussex.

Nick Gibb

Provisional information on the latest Key Stage 2 results in West Sussex and other local authorities is published as part of the “National curriculum assessments: key stage 2, 2015 (provisional)” release[1].

These indicate that 77% of pupils in West Sussex local authority achieved level 4 or above in reading, writing and mathematics, below the national average of 80%. This is down from 78% in 2013/14.

In the same year, 21% of pupils in West Sussex local authority achieved level 5 or above in reading, writing and mathematics, below the national average of 24%. This is down from 22% in 2013/14.

Since the phonics check was introduced in West Sussex, the proportion of children who achieve the expected standard has risen each year to 73% in 2015. This remains, however, below the national average of 77%.

Standards in some West Sussex schools are currently too low. I have therefore written to West Sussex County Council, asking them to set out their plans to improve results, so that more children in West Sussex receive the standard of education to which they are entitled.

This is part of our national plan to raise standards, by setting higher expectations in our curriculum and qualifications; creating a self-improving school system; and promoting strong school governance through academies and free schools. We are also committed to making sure schools are funded fairly so all pupils have access to a good education – a key part of our core mission ensure every child reaches their full potential.

[1] 2014/15 provisional local authority level tables can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/456135/SFR30_2015_KS2_LA_Tables.xls

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-10-23.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will issue an updated National Asset Register.

Greg Hands

The decision to stop the publication of a National Asset Register was made before the first publication of the Whole of Government Accounts for 2009-10. The Chancellor of the Exchequer considers public spending measures as part of the spending review process and will present his spending review to the House on 25 November.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-10-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Community Right to Bid scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Marcus Jones

Since introduction in 2012, uptake of the Community Right to Bid has increased year-on-year. More than 2,600 much loved assets are now listed across the country, including nearly 900 pubs; and 150 assets have been transferred into community ownership.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-10-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Navy (a) officers and (b) rating recruits of each branch, specialisation and arm joined from foreign navies in each financial year from 2005-06 to 2014-15.

Mr Philip Dunne

To determine if recruits to the Royal Navy have previously served in other nations’ navies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-10-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of Royal Navy (a) officers and (b) ratings in each branch, specialisation and arm were unavailable to be deployed in each year from 2005-06 to 2014-15.

Mark Lancaster

The information is not held in the format requested. However, the number and proportion of Naval Service officers and ratings in each branch who were categorised as non-deployable as at April of each year from 2010 is provided below. Information is not available prior to 2010.

All totals are rounded in accordance with the Defence Statistics rounding policy.

	Branch	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
Officer	Engineer	10	20	20	20	30	30
		1%	1%	1%	1%	2%	2%
	Logistics	10	10	10	~	10	10
		2%	1%	3%	1%	2%	2%
	Medical	10	10	10	10	20	10
		1%	2%	2%	3%	4%	3%
	Royal Marines	~	10	10	10	10	20
		1%	1%	1%	2%	1%	2%
	Warfare	30	30	20	30	30	30
		1%	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%
Rating	Engineer	300	320	280	350	270	280
		1%	3%	3%	4%	3%	2%
	Logistics	170	170	160	170	100	110
		2%	5%	6%	6%	4%	5%
	Medical	50	50	30	40	30	40
		1%	6%	4%	5%	4%	5%
	Royal Marines	280	260	320	260	160	150
		1%	4%	5%	4%	2%	2%
	Warfare	260	290	280	290	150	150
		4%	4%	4%	5%	3%	3%

All numbers are rounded to the nearest 5 with numbers that would be round

to 0 represented by ‘~’.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nicholas Soames on 2015-10-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel of each (a) rank and (b) branch, specialisation and arm left the Royal Navy in the first (a) three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months and (d) nine to 12 months of their service in each year from 2005-06 to 2014-15.

Mark Lancaster

The information requested in respect of rank and branch is provided in the tables attached.

Notes:

Source: Defence Statistics (Navy).

A financial year includes all outflows from 1 April to 31 March.

Length of Service is recorded when someone completes that month.

Specialisations have been excluded from these tables due to the need to protect sensitive small figures.

All totals are rounded in accordance with the Defence Statistics rounding policy. All numbers are rounded to the nearest 5 with numbers that would be rounded to 0 represented by ‘~’.