Asked by: Rehman Chishti (Conservative - Gillingham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the recent statement of the Secretary of State for Defence on increasing the number of cadet units in state schools across the UK, what steps he plans to help ensure that those units provide opportunities for young people from ethnic minority and vulnerable backgrounds.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Last year the Government committed £50 million of LIBOR funding to the Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) to increase the number of cadet units in schools to 500 by 2020. This manifesto commitment will establish around 150 new units in state schools across the UK. The programme is targeting schools in less affluent areas to ensure that more young people can experience the life-enhancing activities that cadet service brings.
The cadet forces are inclusive organisations which help young people achieve their full potential. We are committed to equality of opportunity for young people from all backgrounds, regarding diversity within our membership as one of our greatest strengths.
As part of our plan to build a country that works for everyone we have made it a priority to focus the CEP on areas of high deprivation where the potential benefit is greatest. The new school units will help young people to get on in life, raising their aspirations and motivating them to succeed in their education.
Asked by: Rehman Chishti (Conservative - Gillingham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many military pilots have sought medical assistance and been stood down after a laser pen attack.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
Data on military aircrew seeking medical assistance or being stood down from flying following a laser pen incident is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Rehman Chishti (Conservative - Gillingham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many incidents of laser pen attacks on military aircraft were recorded in (a) the UK and (b) overseas in the last five years.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
There have been some 470 laser related Defence Air Safety Occurrence Reports received in the last five years involving UK military aircraft. Some 250 occurred in the UK and 220 overseas. It is not possible to determine whether laser pens were responsible for each incident.
Asked by: Rehman Chishti (Conservative - Gillingham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Answer of 9 February 2015 to Question 222936, when he plans to announce which of the 5,000 ships under consideration will be designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The consultation process as to which ships under consideration will be designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 is at its later stages, and an announcement will be made in due course.
Asked by: Rehman Chishti (Conservative - Gillingham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2014 to Question 213663, when he plans to announce which of the 5,000 ships under construction will be designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.
Answered by Anna Soubry
The Department is currently planning to make a decision on the next tranche of ships to be designated under the Act by the end of 2015.
Asked by: Rehman Chishti (Conservative - Gillingham and Rainham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he next plans to propose secondary legislation under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.
Answered by Anna Soubry
Since 2002, through five Statutory Instruments, 78 wrecks have been designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 as either Protected Places or Controlled Sites. The last Statutory Instrument (SI 2012/1110) came into force on 1 June 2012.
Ministry of Defence officials are considering which ships (from potentially more than 5,000) should be included in the next Statutory Instrument but I cannot yet give a timetable for the conclusion of that work.