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Written Question
Armed Forces: Sexual Offences
Thursday 27th June 2019

Asked by: Ross Thomson (Conservative - Aberdeen South)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to tackle alleged sexual harassment in the Armed Forces.

Answered by Tobias Ellwood

No one should have to work in an environment where they are sexually harassed or experience other forms of inappropriate behaviour which are clearly incompatible with the high values and standards we expect of our people. The Armed Forces are committed to addressing this issue through a range of activities, including surveys and climate assessments, awareness campaigns, and training around equality, diversity, inclusion and values. Addressing this type of behaviour is also a leadership issue and covered in leadership training modules. In addition, each unit in the Armed Forces has at least one trained Equality and Diversity Inclusion Adviser, who has a key role in advising the Commanding Officer on Equality Legislation and, where incidents occur, providing advice to those involved on the option of informal resolution of the matter or submission of a Service complaint.

We recognise the great courage it takes to come forward and report sexual harassment. Personnel who come forward can have full confidence that all allegations are thoroughly investigated.


Written Question
Reserve Forces
Tuesday 20th February 2018

Asked by: Ross Thomson (Conservative - Aberdeen South)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the continuation of Officer Training Corps and University Air Squadrons in universities.

Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton

The Army has 15 University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) and two University Officer Training Regiments (UOTR) covering a number of affiliated universities across the UK, delivering military, leadership and personal training development opportunities. We are committed to maintaining a nationwide footprint of UOTCs and UOTRs. Under the Army's Basic Training Transformation Programme, the current UOTC structure is being examined. The study is ongoing with no decision imminent.

The RAF has 15 University Air Squadrons (UAS) which incorporate a number of affiliated universities across a wide catchment area in the UK in geographically essential locations. UAS are a vital part of developing and recruiting talented individuals into the RAF. There are no plans to change this.


Written Question
Ministry of Defence: Contracts
Monday 12th February 2018

Asked by: Ross Thomson (Conservative - Aberdeen South)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the projected costs to the public purse are which arise from his Department's contracts with on-base facility providers in each of the next five years.

Answered by Tobias Ellwood

This information is not held in the format requested.


Written Question
World War I: Anniversaries
Tuesday 6th February 2018

Asked by: Ross Thomson (Conservative - Aberdeen South)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to support commemorations of the First World War during 2018; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton

The Government and the nation will never forget the service and sacrifice of those who served during the First World War. It is our duty to remember and honour the fallen.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has contributed significantly to the Government's four-year First World War commemorative programme, both at home and abroad, and continues to do so; the programme is led by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This is in addition to single Service initiatives delivered at, for instance, Regimental (or equivalent) level.

In 2018 the MOD will further support the Government's programme at a commemorative event to mark the appointment of Marshal Foch as Supreme Allied Commander on the Western Front, a service to mark the Battle of Amiens, and at a number of events throughout the UK to mark the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice, including the traditional London-based Cenotaph Service.


Written Question
Armed Forces: Training
Tuesday 6th February 2018

Asked by: Ross Thomson (Conservative - Aberdeen South)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the costs to the public purse of military training in 2017.

Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton

The Ministry of Defence undertakes a wide range of training activity; from Phase 1 and Phase 2 training for new recruits, through to complex joint exercises with other nations to specialist training for specific trades and skills requirements, such as nuclear engineering. The costs for these activities encompass nearly all the Defence Lines of Development and could not be broken out without incurring disproportionate cost.


Written Question
Army: Training
Tuesday 6th February 2018

Asked by: Ross Thomson (Conservative - Aberdeen South)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funding his Department plans to provide for officer training corps units in (a) England, (b) Northern Ireland, (c) Wales, (d) Scotland and (e) the UK in the current financial year.

Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 November 2017 to Question 112448 to the hon. Member for Belfast East (Gavin Robinson), which includes the planned funding for University Officer Training Corps for financial year 2017-18.


Written Question
Armed Forces: Resignations
Monday 5th February 2018

Asked by: Ross Thomson (Conservative - Aberdeen South)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to provide further education for armed forces personnel on leaving the services.

Answered by Tobias Ellwood

The Ministry of Defence promotes lifelong learning for members of the Armed Forces. Eligible personnel can access two schemes which help individuals pursue their personal development through further and higher education, both during their Service and up to five years after discharge, subject to the qualifying criteria being met.

The Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme provides financial support towards the cost of higher-level learning and is funded by the single Services. ELC takes the form of a single up-front payment of up to £3,000 in each of a maximum of three Financial Years. Funding is available for courses that result in a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (England, Northern Ireland and Wales), a Level 6 or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), or an approved international equivalent qualification with an approved learning provider if pursued overseas.

Eligibility for ELC funding depends on length of service and date of enlistment, as set out in Joint Service Publication 822 ‘Defence Direction and Guidance for Training and Education’ (Part 1, Section 6.5, Paragraph 3). A copy of JSP 822 can be found at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-822-governance-and-management-of-defence-individual-training-education-and-skills

In addition to the ELC scheme, Service leavers and Service personnel in their qualifying resettlement phase may use their enrolled ELC entitlement to access the Further Education and Higher Education Scheme (FE-HE). This can fund a first full Level 3 (GCE A level or Vocational Equivalent), or a first Higher Education qualification (such as a Foundation Degree or First Undergraduate Degree), with the tuition fees capped at £9,000. The scheme is comprised of the Defence contributions to the Armed Forces ELC scheme, supplemented by resources made available by partner Government Departments and Devolved Administrations. Full details of eligibility for FE-HE are set out in JSP 822 Part 1, Section 6.6, Paragraph 6.


Written Question
Armed Forces: Museums and Galleries
Thursday 23rd November 2017

Asked by: Ross Thomson (Conservative - Aberdeen South)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the benefits of military museums on relations between the armed forces and local communities.

Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton

In February 2017, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) published its review of the three Service Museums: The National Museum of the Royal Navy, the National Army Museum and the RAF Museum.

The review recognised the value of the focus of the three Service Museums on maintaining the heritage of the Services, as well as being the custodians of key heritage assets for the Nation. This supports broader defence and cultural objectives through outreach and community engagement.

The MOD Service Museums review can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-the-armed-forces-service-museums


Written Question
Veterans: Charities
Tuesday 12th September 2017

Asked by: Ross Thomson (Conservative - Aberdeen South)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations his Department has received on the closure of the Veteran's First Point charity service in the Grampian region; and if he will make representations to the Scottish Government to encourage it to fund that service.

Answered by Tobias Ellwood

Veterans First Point (V1P) was established in 2013 to work with local NHS partnerships to provide a range of mental health support, information and signposting. The closure of V1P Grampian, including its funding, is a matter for V1P, the Scottish Government and NHS Grampian rather than the Ministry of Defence.


Written Question
Veterans: Charities
Tuesday 12th September 2017

Asked by: Ross Thomson (Conservative - Aberdeen South)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what financial support is currently available for veterans charities to apply for.

Answered by Tobias Ellwood

The £10 million per annum Covenant Fund makes grants to support the Armed Forces community and has funded projects across the UK to improve support and introduce new services to help veterans.