Asked by: Lord Robathan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Goldie on 27 July (HL6983), whether any military training establishments, specifically (1) Britannia Royal Naval School Dartmouth, (2) Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and (3) Royal Air Force College Cranwell, have confined all trainees to barracks due to concerns about COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
Britannia Royal Naval School Dartmouth has implemented COVID-19 control measures, including the operation of a restricted leave policy throughout COVID-19, to protect the Royal Navy's training output in line with its Defence commitments and above all, ensure a safe and secure COVID-19 training environment for its staff and trainees, following as far as practicable, PHE guidance at all times.
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) - All Army recruits, including Officer Cadets at RMAS, have been confined to Army barracks at some stage during the HMG directed Covid-19 restricted movement period. Trainees and staff were released to travel home only for emergencies or in exceptional circumstances.
RAF College Cranwell - there have been no instances where all personnel at RAFC (Royal Air Force College) Cranwell have been confined to their personal accommodation due to concerns about COVID-19. During the peak of ‘lockdown’ all personnel accommodated at RAFC Cranwell were required to stay at the station, unless there were extenuating circumstances requiring weekend leave. The right to weekend leave was decided on an individual basis.
As lockdown restrictions have now eased, personnel are able to visit family and local community facilities, provided that the extant COVID-19 regulations are adhered to.
Asked by: Lord Robathan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many serving personnel in the Armed Forces aged (1) 18–24, (2) 25–29, (3) 30–34, (4) 35–39, (5) 40 or more, years old have (a) contracted, and (b) died as a result of, COVID-19.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
As at 17 July 2020 (inclusive), 406 UK Armed Forces personnel had a positive COVID-19 infection test result entered into their medical record. Of which:
Two of these UK Armed Forces personnel with a positive COVID-19 infection test result subsequently died; both personnel were aged 40+ years.
Asked by: Lord Robathan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their policy that Armed Forces personnel be confined to barracks during the COVID-19 pandemic; and if so, whether any such policy has applied to (1) personnel undergoing training at depots, schools, bases and officer training establishments, (2) directing staff at such training establishments, and (3) all trained personnel of whatever rank.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
It is not Defence policy that Armed Forces personnel be confined to barracks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The only occasions on which personnel may be confined to their accommodation are if they are self- or household-isolating, or if they are required to isolate for a short period prior to deployment.
Asked by: Lord Robathan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many medical examinations an applicant for the army is required to attend, broken down by (1) officers, and (2) other ranks; how long those examinations remain valid if passed; on how many occasions applicants have been required to attend (a) one, and (b) more than one, extra examination in the last three years; and what estimate they have made of the cost to the army of any extra examinations, including the issue of travel warrants to applicants.
Answered by Baroness Goldie - Shadow Minister (Defence)
There is one physical medical examination for both officers and other ranks, Regular and Reserve (the Pre-Service Medical Assessment (PSMA)), the results of which remain valid for one year.
Over the last three full financial years, some 1,163 specialist opinions in addition to the PSMA have been sought. Of these, 23 have required another further appointment.
If an applicant is found to be medically unsuitable for service, they may appeal. As part of providing evidence for their appeal, they may wish to seek further medical advice. This would be at the personal cost of the applicant.
The Army estimates that around £156,000 has been spent over the last three full financial years on additional medical referrals, including travel.
Asked by: Lord Robathan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether (1) the Service Delivery Wrap, and (2) the Global Interconnect Network, still form part of the Skynet acquisition and tender process.
Answered by Earl Howe - Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
It is confirmed that both the Service Delivery Wrap and the Global Interconnect Network form part of the ongoing SKYNET 6 Acquisition Programme.