Tag: Douglas Chapman

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2015-11-09.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what (a) contracts and (b) sub-contracts (i) his Department and (ii) agencies of his Department have awarded (A) Netcracker Technology and (B) Computer Sciences Corporation.

Matthew Hancock

Contracts published prior to 26 February 2015 can be viewed at:http://data.gov.uk/data/contracts-finder-archive

Those published after 26 February 2015 can be viewed at:https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-01-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much his Department spent on Continuity of Education Allowance in independent schools in financial year (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15; how many children were in receipt of that allowance in each of those years; and which five schools had the highest spend on that allowance in each of those years.

Mr Tobias Ellwood

It is a condition of their employment that members of the diplomatic service must be prepared to serve anywhere in the world at any time during their career, sometimes at very short notice. Those with children have a legal obligation as parents to ensure that their children receive a full-time education from the age of five years. Most parents prefer to take their children with them abroad, but in some of the 168 countries and territories where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has UK based staff, we do not permit staff to take their children either for health or security reasons. In others, local schools of an acceptable standard are not available. It is longstanding practice that the FCO helps staff meet their potentially conflicting obligations by providing financial support for their children’s education in the UK where staff choose this, or are obliged to do so given local conditions in the country to which they are posted.

Continuity of education is also an important factor, particularly at secondary level.

The FCO refunds standard term fees up to a ceiling which is reviewed annually. Where staff opt to send their children to more expensive schools, staff meet the difference in cost. The maximum amount the FCO will pay is determined by an independent survey conducted by ECA International, which is used by public and private sector employers whose staff work across the world. Various factors, including availability of places (sometimes at short notice) and proximity of other family members, influence which schools staff choose for their children.

FY UK School costs (CEA) Number of Children
2012/13 £14,926,061 700
2013/14 £13,704,118 (£13,162,823)*625 (604)*
2014/15 £12,943,134 (£12,391,079)*593 (570)*
*Cost to the FCO after reclaiming costs from other Government departments for their staff deployed overseas

We are unable to provide the 5 schools that had the highest spend in each of those years as to do so would entail checking individual files, which would incur a disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-01-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the security and logistical implications of the Queen Elizabeth class carriers being unable to berth directly alongside the Mina Salman Support Facility in Bahrain.

Mr Philip Dunne

The security and logistical implications of the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers while on operations overseas are subject to continual assessment and review. Irrespective of berthing or anchoring arrangements, it is normal business to conduct threat assessments prior to and during all port visits and deployed maintenance periods. This has been and will continue to be no different for Mina Salman port, and other port facilities in Bahrain.

The Department does not disclose details of security risks and assessments pertaining to deployed operations as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-02-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has for the introduction of two tier special forces in the Joint Force 2025 announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review involved in training, assistance advice and mentoring to UK partners.

Penny Mordaunt

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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 5.14 of the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015, what the timetable is for the establishment of Defence Staffs in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Mr Julian Brazier

The British Defence Staffs in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa will be established by the end of 2016. The exact timetable is under consideration. Once decisions have been made I will write to the hon. Member to inform him of the dates when the British Defence Staffs will be in operation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-03-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 February 2016 to Question 24213, on European fighter aircraft warnings, what the two possible equipment solutions selected for formal assessment in the coming months are.

Mr Philip Dunne

The collision warning system project for the Typhoon aircraft has not yet reached Main Gate. Therefore I am unable to disclose the two possible solutions as that information is commercially sensitive.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-03-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to fit airborne collision avoidance systems to Lynx helicopters.

Mr Philip Dunne

I can confirm that Traffic Advisory Systems are currently being installed in all Lynx Mk 9A aircraft. This is due to be completed across the entire fleet by the end of September 2016. Royal Navy Lynx Mk 8 aircraft are not being modified as they are due to leave service by 31 March 2017.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Boeing Poseidon P8s acquired by the UK will use Mk 54 torpedoes.

Mr Philip Dunne

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 April 2016 to Question 33058 to the hon. Member for Barrow and Furness (John Woodcock).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-06-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department (a) has allocated and (b) plans to allocate resources to study the potential threat posed by unmanned underwater vehicles to the SSBN fleet.

Mr Philip Dunne

The Government takes its responsibilities for maintaining the integrity of our submarine fleet extremely seriously and dedicates considerable resource to ensuring that the credibility and standards for operational effectiveness will continue to be met. Our submarine fleet will not be rendered obsolete by new technologies, including developments in unmanned underwater vehicle technology. I am withholding further details as publication would prejudice or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Douglas Chapman on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for negotiations on the bilateral agreement regulating flights between the UK and the People’s Republic of China.

Mr John Hayes

Bilateral UK/China air services negotiations took place in London on 10 and 11 October 2016. An agreement was signed on behalf of the UK by the Minister for Aviation, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon. This agreement significantly increases the traffic rights available to airlines from both countries and enables airlines to operate more services to a wider range of destinations in each country.