Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) boys and (b) girls began training at the Army Foundation College in each of the last five years; and how many recruits of each gender dropped out before the end of their course in those years.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The number of Junior Soldier (JS) recruits, by gender, who commenced training at the Army Foundation College (Harrogate) and claimed their Discharge As Of Right (DAOR) prior to the completion of the course in the last five complete training years (1 April to 31 March) can be found below.
| Female JS | Male JS | ||
Training Year | Basic Training Starts | DAOR | Basic Training Starts | DAOR |
2021-22 | 139 | 22 | 1,259 | 375 |
2020-21 | 149 | 18 | 1,511 | 261 |
2019-20 | 184 | 24 | 1,571 | 220 |
2018-19 | 129 | 9 | 1,259 | 85 |
2017-18 | 134 | 10 | 1,251 | 88 |
Source: Army Recruiting and Initial Training Command
Notes/caveats:
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether an army recruit aged under 18 has a statutory right of discharge (a) during the first six weeks of training and (b) after that point; and whether a notice period applies.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The Ministry of Defence takes the duty of care for all our personnel, and in particular those aged under 18, extremely seriously and recognises that those aged under 18 should be treated with special consideration. All recruits enlisting into the Regular Army for the first time have the right to claim their termination according to the terms of their engagement, known as Discharge as of Right (DAOR).
Recruits aged under 18 can choose to leave the Army up until their 18th birthday by giving 14 days written notice to their Commanding Officer (CO).
If aged under 18 years at attestation, following completion of 28 days service soldiers can DAOR at any time within 6 months from the date of attestation. 14 days written notice must be given to the CO.
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's plans are for the Skynet 6 Enduring Capability programme; and when his Department plans to publish a timeline for that programme.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The Enduring Capability requirement consists of two elements: the satellites and the ground-based infrastructure. Both are important investments within the Defence Space Strategy, giving opportunity to lever the best of UK space research and development. This will deliver long term innovative solutions for the which can overcome the increasingly hostile threats that we face in space.
We continue to refine the Enduring Capability satellite requirement and procurement approach. As part of this refinement, we will be undertaking further industry engagement which will inform the satellite programme timeline.
The exact timings for the ground-based elements are dependent on the final agreements reached on the preceding programme of ground and flight control provision (the Service Delivery Wrap, which is currently being competed).
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans to publish the Defence Space Strategy.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
We are planning for the publication of the Defence Space Strategy to happen soon.
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will issue letters of apology to all LGBT+ veterans who suffered significant (a) emotional and (b) financial hardship as a result of the former Armed Forces ban on homosexuality.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
My predecessor as Minister for Defence People and Veterans publicly apologised for the historic treatment of the LGBT veteran community and I reiterate that this treatment was entirely unacceptable. LGBT personnel have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to the Armed Forces.
I am proud of this Government’s record on improving equality. We made it possible for men with eligible historical convictions for decriminalised behaviours to apply to have their convictions disregarded and we are in the process of exploring how further Service Offences can be brought within the scope of the scheme to enable more veterans to benefit from it.
We have stated that we will go beyond existing actions in righting historic wrongs to the LGBT veteran community and I remain committed to doing so. Work is underway which will seek not only to understand and acknowledge the impacts of pre-millennium practices in the Armed Forces relating to gender identity and sexual orientation, but also where appropriate to address these impacts. We do not currently have plans to identify individuals.
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to provide compensation to LGBT+ veterans who have lost (a) earnings and (b) pensions as a result of the former Armed Forces ban on homosexuality.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
My predecessor as Minister for Defence People and Veterans publicly apologised for the historic treatment of the LGBT veteran community and I reiterate that this treatment was entirely unacceptable. LGBT personnel have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to the Armed Forces.
I am proud of this Government’s record on improving equality. We made it possible for men with eligible historical convictions for decriminalised behaviours to apply to have their convictions disregarded and we are in the process of exploring how further Service Offences can be brought within the scope of the scheme to enable more veterans to benefit from it.
We have stated that we will go beyond existing actions in righting historic wrongs to the LGBT veteran community and I remain committed to doing so. Work is underway which will seek not only to understand and acknowledge the impacts of pre-millennium practices in the Armed Forces relating to gender identity and sexual orientation, but also where appropriate to address these impacts. We do not currently have plans to identify individuals.
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has plans to grant pardons to LGBT+ veterans who were convicted on account of their (a) sexuality or (b) gender identity during the Armed Forces ban on homosexuality.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
My predecessor as Minister for Defence People and Veterans publicly apologised for the historic treatment of the LGBT veteran community and I reiterate that this treatment was entirely unacceptable. LGBT personnel have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to the Armed Forces.
I am proud of this Government’s record on improving equality. We made it possible for men with eligible historical convictions for decriminalised behaviours to apply to have their convictions disregarded and we are in the process of exploring how further Service Offences can be brought within the scope of the scheme to enable more veterans to benefit from it.
We have stated that we will go beyond existing actions in righting historic wrongs to the LGBT veteran community and I remain committed to doing so. Work is underway which will seek not only to understand and acknowledge the impacts of pre-millennium practices in the Armed Forces relating to gender identity and sexual orientation, but also where appropriate to address these impacts. We do not currently have plans to identify individuals.
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps to identify LGBT+ veterans who may have been dismissed from the Armed Forces prior to 2000 on account of their sexuality but given other reasons for their dismissal.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
My predecessor as Minister for Defence People and Veterans publicly apologised for the historic treatment of the LGBT veteran community and I reiterate that this treatment was entirely unacceptable. LGBT personnel have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to the Armed Forces.
I am proud of this Government’s record on improving equality. We made it possible for men with eligible historical convictions for decriminalised behaviours to apply to have their convictions disregarded and we are in the process of exploring how further Service Offences can be brought within the scope of the scheme to enable more veterans to benefit from it.
We have stated that we will go beyond existing actions in righting historic wrongs to the LGBT veteran community and I remain committed to doing so. Work is underway which will seek not only to understand and acknowledge the impacts of pre-millennium practices in the Armed Forces relating to gender identity and sexual orientation, but also where appropriate to address these impacts. We do not currently have plans to identify individuals.
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Royal Navy ships have had operations restricted as a result of covid-19 outbreaks amongst serving personnel.
Answered by James Heappey
We do not comment on the operational status of Royal Navy (RN) ships. The RN has continued to meet all operational tasking throughout the pandemic.
Asked by: Carol Monaghan (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North West)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the finding of (a) the King’s Centre for Military Health Research and (b) the University of Glasgow that enlisting in the armed forces before 18 years of age can adversely impact on mental health outcomes, what plans he has to ensure that service personnel who enlist in the armed forces before 18 years of age do not experience poorer mental health outcomes than (i) service personnel who enlist in the armed forces as adults and (ii) civilians of the same age and socioeconomic background.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The recent studies conducted by the King's Centre for Military Health Research and the University of Glasgow on the health outcomes of junior entrants to the UK Armed Forces have found there is little evidence that early recruitment is associated with an adverse impact on long-term mental health. Findings from these studies indicate that those who enter service as junior entrants have a lower risk of long-term mental health disorder than those recruited at older ages.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to maintaining the mental health and wellbeing of all our Armed Forces personnel, regardless of age, and recognises that Service life can cause stress. All Armed Forces personnel are supported by dedicated and comprehensive medical services including mental health support. MOD is working with the single Services, Defence Medical Services, and other stakeholders to promote mental fitness and reduce associated stigma.
The MOD is clear that the duty of care of all our recruits, and in particular those aged under 18, is of the utmost importance and that those aged under 18 should be treated with special consideration. All Phase 1 and Phase 2 training organisations are subject to Ofsted inspection on a routine basis. Ofsted's last inspection of the Army Foundation College Harrogate in May 2018 awarded 'Outstanding' in all three assessment categories (outcomes for recruits and trainees; quality of welfare and duty of care; effectiveness of leadership and management).