Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons members of the armed forces stationed in the Falkland Islands do not receive free wifi; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that all UK bases overseas offer access to a free wifi connection.
Answered by Anna Soubry
It is not the case that Armed Forces personnel in the Falkland Islands do not receive free wifi. Cards providing 100 minutes of wifi internet access are issued at no cost to Armed Forces personnel. The number of cards received is dependent on tour length as follows:
up to nine months tour - one card a week
nine to 12 months tour - two cards a week
12 months plus unaccompanied - four cards a week
In addition to the cards, an internet cafe is available where personnel can access up to 45 minutes of Skype and internet browsing time per day.
Location, capability and security can provide challenges in the provision of the internet to Armed Forces Personnel based overseas.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy that a credit union be established for members of HM Armed Forces and their families.
Answered by Anna Soubry
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 December 2014 to Question 216988 to the hon. Member for Harrow West (Mr Thomas).
http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2014-12-03/216988/
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many vacant army dwellings there were on 30 September 2014 in Colchester; and how many such properties had (a) three and (b) four bedrooms.
Answered by Anna Soubry
There are currently 926 Service Family accommodation properties in Colchester. On 30 September 2014, 124 of these were unoccupied.
Of these 124 unoccupied, 50 were three-bedroomed and 29 were four-bedroomed properties.
The Ministry of Defence always maintains a management margin of vacant properties, in order to ensure that properties are available for incoming families and to allow for essential maintenance.
36 of the 124 properties have since been allocated to families. They are due to move in these in the near future.
Asked by: Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat - Colchester)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to implement a replacement programme to introduce LED lighting throughout his Department's buildings and sites; if he will estimate the proportion of lighting in his Department which is LED; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is firmly committed to reducing its energy consumption across the Estate. Data about the proportion of lighting on the MOD estate which is LED is not held centrally. However, under the Energy Spend-to-Save programme, which was developed following the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, £32.5 million was spent on lighting projects at approximately 160 sites. The majority of these projects were the replacement of existing lighting with LEDs. Altogther the projects are expected to generate an enduring saving of around £15 million each year.