Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the commitments in the Armed Forces Covenant have been implemented in Northern Ireland to date.
Answered by Anna Soubry
I refer the hon. Member to the debate on the Military Covenant in Northern Ireland on 22 October 2014 (Official Report, columns 971-1004), during which I advised the House that practically all of the measures in the Covenant, more than 90%, now extend to Northern Ireland, or will do so soon.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the personnel establishment is of each unit of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Reserve in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Julian Brazier
The Maritime Reserves are represented in Northern Ireland by the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) unit HMS HIBERNIA in Lisburn, and the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) Belfast Detachment of RMR Scotland.
The RNR and RMR personnel establishments are not apportioned by local unit.
The current strength of the Maritime Reserves' units in Northern Ireland is:
HMS HIBERNIA | 90 |
Belfast Detachment | 30 |
Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the personnel establishment is of each unit of the RAF Reserve in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Julian Brazier
There is one Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron based in Northern Ireland, No. 502 (Ulster) Squadron. It is currently established for up to 123 personnel, 111 part-time Volunteer Reserve posts supported by a Headquarters staff of 12 Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the personnel establishment is of each unit of the Army Reserve in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Julian Brazier
The number of established posts for trained personnel in Army Reserve units based in Northern Ireland is set out in the table.
Unit | Army Regular | Army Reserve |
2nd Battalion, Royal Irish | 13 | 400 |
152 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps | 14 | 398 |
253 (NI) Medical Regiment | 10 | 305 |
204 Field Hospital | 10 | 202 |
157 Field Company, 106 Battalion REME | 2 | 97 |
Queens University Officer Training Corps | 4 | 166 |
B Sqn Scottish and Northern Irish Yeomanry | 2 |
90 |
206 Battery, 105 Regiment Royal Artillery | 2 |
84 |
591 Field Squadron, 71 Engineer Regt | 3 |
113 |
69 Signal Squadron, 32 Signal Regiment | 2 |
100 |
Aviation Spec Group, 6 Army Air Corps | 0 |
67 |
62 Military Intelligence Company, 6 Military Intelligence Battalion | 1 | 85 |
Totals | 65 | 2,197 |
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to address the issues raised with him by the First Minsiter of Northern Ireland concerning the transfer of the former St Lucia barracks in Omagh to the Northern Ireland Executive.
Answered by Anna Soubry
The majority of St Lucia Barracks has been transferred to the Office of First Minister/Deputy First Minister as part of the Hillsborough agreement. The remainder is in the process of being transferred.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason Northern Ireland is defined as an overseas location for the purposes of offering further and higher educational support under the Service Leavers Scheme.
Answered by Anna Soubry
No service leavers who reside in Northern Ireland have benefitted from the Scheme as Northern Ireland was classified as an overseas location.
However, I am pleased to say that action is in hand to amend the legislation governing the Scheme to extend provision to Northern Ireland service leavers. We anticipate this coming into effect from September 2015.
Asked by: Jeffrey M Donaldson (Independent - Lagan Valley)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many service leavers resident in Northern Ireland have received further and higher educational support under the Service Leavers Scheme funded by his Department.
Answered by Anna Soubry
No service leavers who reside in Northern Ireland have benefitted from the Scheme as Northern Ireland was classified as an overseas location.
However, I am pleased to say that action is in hand to amend the legislation governing the Scheme to extend provision to Northern Ireland service leavers. We anticipate this coming into effect from September 2015.