| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
16 May 2008 : Column 1804W—continued
UK Sport: Finance
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding his Department plans to allocate to UK Sport in each of the next three years. [206239]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The planned funding for UK Sport for each of the next three years is as follows:
| UK sport | |||
| £ million | |||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
Defence
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects the Piranha V future rapid effect system utility vehicle to come into service; and how many he plans to order; [205394]
(2) pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 8 May 2008, Official Report, columns 39-40WS, on the future rapid effect system utility vehicle design decision, what the next stage of the utility vehicle programme will be; when he expects that stage to be concluded; and how much it will cost; [205396]
(3) pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 8 May 2008, Official Report, columns 39-40WS, on the future rapid effect system military vehicle design decision, what the proposed package of work on risk reduction will consist of; when he expects this work to be completed; and how much it will cost. [205409]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The date by which the Utility Vehicle will enter service and how many will be ordered will be set at the time of the main investment decision. The next stage in the FRES utility vehicle programme will be the Demonstration Phase. Its duration and cost will be agreed at the time of the relevant investment decision.
Prior to the Demonstration Phase we will conduct a package of risk reduction work to further increase our confidence that the selected design is capable of delivering the required level of performance. In addition to addressing performance issues, the risk reduction work will also allow the designer to review aspects of their exploitation plans for future phases of the utility vehicle programme with regard to estimates of cost, risk and schedule. The duration and cost of this risk reduction work will be the subject of negotiations between the MOD and the vehicle designer.
Departmental Internet
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 April 2008, Official Report, column 1924W, on the departmental internet, from which networks write access to Wikipedia has been blocked; when the decision to block them was made; for what reasons it was made; and if he will place in the Library his Department’s documentation of the decision. [202379]
Derek Twigg: We have blocked write access to Wikipedia via the MOD Enterprise Gateway Service (EGS). This covers MOD’s basic level (Restricted/Unclassified) Wide Area Network, servicing the vast majority of MOD’s office-based IT systems.
A number of minor systems can access the internet directly; these are either older systems, or those under local control which have specific business requirements which make them unsuitable for connection to the main Wide Area Network. Such systems will not be blocked from accessing Wikipedia.
More highly protected networks have never had internet access, and so cannot access Wikipedia.
The decision to block write access to Wikipedia via the EGS was taken on 30 November 2007 by staff of the Director General Information (DGInfo) and the Joint Security Co-ordination Centre (JSyCC). There was no compelling business reason to have the facility to update Wikipedia.
An exchange of emails at desk level documented the decision, and the method to be followed. I am withholding these e-mails as in order to safeguard national security, this information is not placed in the public domain.
Kosovo: Peacekeeping Operations
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the technical arrangement between NATO Kosovo Force and the EU rule of law civilian mission to be finalised; and what assessment he has made of the effects on military and civilian operations in Kosovo of the time taken to secure finalisation. [202385]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: NATO and EU staffs have produced Technical Arrangement papers to facilitate coordination and support between the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) and the EU rule of law civilian mission (EULEX). It is envisaged that they will be signed into force by the Commander KFOR and the Head of EULEX once EULEX is ready to deploy.
There continues to be good co-operation between the two organisations on the ground in Kosovo.
Radioactive Materials: Transport
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 30 April 2008, Official Report, column 484W, on Radioactive Materials: Transport, what plans he has to ensure that the refurbished truck cargo heavy duty trailers and newly purchased tractor heads are compliant with regulations on radiation hazard, with particular reference to the carrying of radiation hazard warning signs when loaded with special nuclear materials; and if he will make a statement. [205190]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The regulations governing the transport of radioactive material, including the requirements for radiation hazard warning signs, are the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Transportable Pressure Vessel Regulations 2007. Provision exists within these for radioactive materials defined as instruments of war, or components thereof, to be exempt. Notwithstanding, arrangements have been put in place for the transportation of special nuclear material that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, at least as good as those required by legislation.
Hazard warning signs are generally intended to provide information to responding emergency services in the event of an incident. The Ministry of Defence police escorting convoys have this and more information to hand. All factors, including security, will be taken into account in determining whether hazard signs will appear on the replacement vehicles when carrying special nuclear material.
Veterans
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve the assistance given to soldiers to prepare for life upon return from tours of duty in theatres of operation. [205289]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 15 May 2008]: Prior to deploying on operations soldiers receive welfare and personal briefings that are intended to assist them in coping with the demands of operational tours and the subsequent return from theatre. These briefings are supplemented by a booklet and a DVD.
At the end of an operational tour personnel leaving theatre will go through a 24-36 hours period of ‘decompression’, prior to return to their home base. This enables them to unwind physically and mentally and to talk to colleagues and superiors about their experiences. Personnel also attend mandatory briefings during this period, designed to help them manage the transition to normal life. On return to the home base, and prior to the mandatory post operational leave, soldiers go through a normalisation process. This lasts for up to five days and is a structured programme of briefings and activities to help the re-adjustment to non-operational service life in barracks. Access to specialised mental healthcare is available at every stage of the process, as is access to the Army’s comprehensive range of welfare services.
For those leaving the operational theatre with illness or injuries it is often not practical for them to undergo decompression or normalisation. Those hospitalised at
Selly Oak are visited at least daily by the Service Brigade Liaison Officers and the Defence Medical Welfare Staff. Arrangements are also made for their families to visit them as soon as possible to offer additional bedside comfort and support after their arrival in a UK hospital. They can also be counselled by Army welfare staff and, where appropriate, referred for more specialist treatment. For those who are evacuated from theatre to home sick leave the Army Sickness Absence Management process involves regular unit representative contact until individuals return to their units or are discharged from the Army. Where support requirements are identified before discharge an action plan is developed with the Veterans Welfare Service that ensures support continues for at least two years beyond discharge where necessary.
The Army has also recently implemented Trauma Risk Management (TRiM). This aims to identify at the earliest possible stage those who may have been affected by traumatic incidents so that appropriate counselling, or other forms of treatment, can be arranged for them.
Duchy of Lancaster
Committee on the Grant of Honours Decorations and Medals
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many recommendations of the Committee on Honours, Decorations and Medals have been submitted for consideration in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement; [203477]
(2) how many consultations the Committee on Honours, Decorations and Medals has conducted in the last 12 months; who was consulted; and if he will make a statement; [203490]
(3) on how many occasions the Committee on Honours, Decorations and Medals has met in the last 12 months; what the venue for each of these meetings was; what the cost of each meeting was; and if he will make a statement; [203506]
(4) what the cost of (a) the Committee on Honours, Decorations and Medals and (b) its secretariat was in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [203507]
(5) how many officials are engaged in the work of the Committee on Honours, Decorations and Medals; and if he will make a statement; [203508]
(6) if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) agendas and (b) minutes of each meeting of the Committee on Honours, Decorations and Medals in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [203509]
Edward Miliband: Secretariat support for the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals is provided by the Ceremonial Secretariat based in the Cabinet Office. The cost of the secretariat is accounted for in the departmental report and accounts.
The committee is made up of the following members:
Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service (Chair)
Private Secretary to The Sovereign
Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister's Office
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence
Defence Services Secretary
Permanent Secretary Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Permanent Secretary, Home Office
Secretary of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood
Ceremonial Officer of the Cabinet Office (Secretary).
All members of the committee have extensive careers in public administration and/or as members of the armed forces or the diplomatic service. As the posts are ex officio, members serve on the committee while they hold their current posts.
It is established practice not to disclose the details of internal discussion and advice.
Crime Prevention
James Brokenshire: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many people responded to the Have Your Say exercise as part of the Crime and Communities Review; [203237]
(2) what responsibility his Department has in combating crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour; [203238]
(3) what the responsibilities and duties of Louise Casey are. [203239]
Edward Miliband: The Cabinet Office plays a number of roles in relation to combating crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour. This includes, providing secretariat support to Cabinet and Cabinet Committees relating to domestic affairs, cross-Government work to tackle social exclusion including some of the underlying causes of offending, and supporting third sector organisations. The Strategy Unit also works collaboratively with other Government Departments on a range of home affairs issues.
The Prime Minister commissioned Louise Casey to carry out a cross-departmental review to look at how local communities, the police, local criminal justice agencies and other local partners can best work together to reduce crime, raise community confidence, improve information to local people and lower the fear of crime. The review is also looking at what makes people get involved in tackling problems in their community. The review is based in the Cabinet Office because of its cross-departmental nature but is staffed jointly by Departments.
The Crime and Communities Review's call for evidence attracted 1,457 responses to the questionnaire. A further 606 community activists attended evidence gathering events held across the country. The review is due to report by June 2008.
Departmental Freedom of Information
David T.C. Davies:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many freedom of information requests made to his Department were (a) answered
(i) within 20 days, (ii) within 40 days, (iii) within 60 days, (iv) after 60 days, (b) not answered and (c) answered citing an exemption in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as a reason not to provide the requested information in each year since the Act came into force. [201735]
Edward Miliband: The Ministry of Justice has published two annual reports containing statistical information on freedom of information requests received by monitored bodies (including central Government Departments) in 2005 and 2006. These reports can be found at the following address:
The 2007 annual report is currently being drafted for publication in June 2008. However, statistics on requests received in each quarter of 2007 have been published and can be found via the MOJ website:
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires public bodies to respond to written requests within 20 working days of receipt, but allows additional time for the consideration of the public interest in disclosing the requested information.
The published reports provide statistics on the number of “non-routine” requests received during each period where: an initial response was provided within 20 working days; an initial response was given outside this time but a public interest test extension had been applied; an initial response was given outside this time and no public interest test extension was applied, and where no initial response had been given at the time the statistics were collected.
The 2006 annual report provides statistics on the duration of the public interest test extensions in that year. Corresponding statistics for 2007 will be available when the 2007 annual report is published.
Information requests where deadlines were extended beyond 40 days is not collected in the form requested; however the proportion of resolvable requests the Cabinet Office answered “in time” (i.e. meeting the deadline or with a permitted extension) in 2007 was 97 per cent.
For 2005 and 2006, the reports show the number of requests received by the Department which were withheld, either in full or in part, where an FOI exemption or EIR exception was applied. For 2007, the number of such requests was 152, based on aggregated quarterly statistics from 2007. Requests withheld solely under the exemption applicable to “information available by other means” are not included; statistics on these are not collected centrally because they are dealt with as routine business.
Immigration
Mr. Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate he has made of the number of immigrants arriving in (a) the UK and (b) Northamptonshire in 2008; and if he will make a statement. [201244]
Mr. Watson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 16 May 2008:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question about the number of immigrants arriving in (a) the UK and (b) Northamptonshire in 2008. (201244)
In 2006 an estimated 591,000 people arrived to live in the UK for at least a year. These are the latest available official estimates of Total International Migration.
International migration figures for local authorities are only calculated on a mid-year basis to form part of the mid-year population estimates. These show an estimated 7,000 people arriving to live in Northamptonshire for at least a year between mid-2005 and mid-2006.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |