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Incorporating HCP 680, session 2005-06.
About a complaint against Mrs Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire.
This report analyses the Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) (published as HC 697, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780102946369). The MoD's assessment of its expected achievements against its six Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets, which run until the end of March 2008, has deteriorated since the previous year's Annual Report and Accounts. At the end of 2007, the MoD did not expect to meet the target relating to generating forces and expects "only partly" to meet targets relating to recruitment and retention, and defence equipment procurement. The failure to meet the target for generating forces is a consequence of the continuing high levels of deployment of the Armed Forces. The Committee is concerned that the Armed Forces have been operating at or above the level of concurrent operations they are resourced and structured to deliver for seven of the last eight years, and for every year since 2002. Achieving manning balance in all three Service continues to be a challenge. Shortages remain within many specialist trades in all three Armed Services, but especially in the Army Medical Service. The report notes the failure to meet harmony guidelines in the Army and the Royal Air Force - another indicator of the pressure on the Armed Forces from the continuing high level of operations - and another target missed by all three services is for ethnic minority recruitment. The MoD continues to experience substantial forecast cost increases on equipment programmes, and the report notes delays in delivering equipment programmes to the planned in-service dates. The MoD faces difficult choices in the face of expected cuts in the defence programme and the management of a streamlining exercise to reduce civilian posts in the headquarters.
In its report of last year on the Communities and Local Government's Departmental Annual Report 2007 (HC 170, session 2007-08, ISBN 9780215037978) the Committee commented on the particular nature of the Department's work: on its unusual reliance for the achievement of the goals Government has set it on a plethora of other Departments, agencies, non-departmental bodies, local authorities and other stakeholders; on the long, devolved delivery chains by which those goals therefore have to be delivered; and on the skills of influence, brokering and negotiation which are required to achieve them. In this Report the Committee assesses the progress made since last. The most recent Cabinet Office Capability Review concludes that there has been a positive "direction of travel" for CLG in that period, but the Committee concludes that there is still some way to go before CLG can be said to be performing at the highest achievable level of effectiveness. The Department's overall performance against its Public Service Agreement targets is likewise moving in the right direction but still short of full effectiveness. Achievement of efficiency targets is applauded. Finally, the report considers examples of particular policies which highlight some of the Department's strengths and weaknesses, and follow up some issues in earlier inquiries. These issues include: eco-towns; the Decent Homes programme; Home Information Packs; Fire Service response times; Firebuy; the FiReControl programme. The report also considers the Department's response to the serious flooding of summer 2007, and to the reviews which followed; and the mismanagement of European Regional Development Fund monies.
This inquiry was prompted by the fact that although it is more than twelve months since a referendum rejected the plans for a regional assembly for the North-East, there has been no new direction for the Government's regional policy. The Committee focused on two main questions: how does the current system of regional governance actually work; and what role city-regions play in the future development of regional policy. In conclusion it recommended "the Government should commit itself to a clear city-regions policy, indicating the extent of city-region feasibility, and the powers and resources which will be made available, so that this alternative to regional governance can be properly explored."
The Committee investigated the provision of healthcare for the armed forces, and examined six key areas. The first was the treatment of personnel seriously wounded on operations, and the procedures for caring for them, from the point of wounding to evacuation to and treatment in the United Kingdom. The second area was the rehabilitation work for those with serious musculo-skeletal or neurological, injuries. The third was the relationship between the Ministry of Defence and the National Health Service in terms of delivering healthcare. The fourth area examined was the care for veterans and service families. The fifth issue was mental healthcare, both for service personnel and for veterans. Finally, the report examines the role of reserve personnel in the Defence Medical Services. Clinical care provided by the Defence Medical Services (DMS), in conjunction with the NHS, for personnel injured on operations is world-class. Rehabilitation work is also found to be exceptional. Services to the armed forces are delivered by the DMS, NHS, charities and welfare organisations, and this helps link the community with service personnel. The Committee would like a wider debate on which services are most appropriately provided by each sector. The Ministry of Defence's decision to base its secondary care around units embedded in NHS Trust is supported, but there is scope for more sharing of best practice between the DMS and the NHS. With veterans, the Committee is not sure adequate procedures are in place to identify veterans and to ensure priority access to services. Mental health is a vital responsibility for DMS, but a robust tracking system for veterans is needed. The reserve forces' contribution to the delivery of military healthcare is praised, but there is a danger of being overstretched.
The Government white paper (Cm 6994, ISBN 9780101699426) recommended the renewal of the Trident system, and wanted a decision made in 2007 as delay would imperil the UK's security. This report analyses the white paper's findings and conclusions, and explores the key issues and questions which should be addressed in the debate on the future of the deterrent. The Committee reports some disagreement with the Government's timetable for procurement of new submarines. The reduction in the total number of warheads is welcomed, but as the number deployed on submarines is not to change the Committee is uncertain of the operational significance of this measure. The Committee would also like clarification of the nature and geographical scope of what the Government considers the UK's "vital interests" for which the nuclear deterrent exists. There appears to be no legal consensus that the proposals are consistent with all of the UK's international obligations, in particular the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, so political considerations will govern the renewal decision. Detailed estimates of the costs are vital to inform the debate. The Committee acknowledges the Government's efforts at openness on this matter.
This report is presented prior to the NATO Summit at Bucharest in April 2008 and examines the status of NATO in dealing with the security environment that exists in Europe today. The situation in Afghanistan offers a key test of the strengths and failings of the NATO Alliance. To bring stability and encourage development and reconstruction in this region requires a long-term military and financial commitment on the part of the Alliance. Failure in Afghanistan may diminish the effectiveness of NATO and undermine allied unity, perhaps pushing the United States to question the purpose of NATO itself. The Bucharest Summit will have to address a number of issues in respect of Afghanistan, including the need to generate sufficient military forces to carry out operations. NATO faces broader questions about its role and relevance in the 21st century, and the Defence Committee believes it needs to launch a far-reaching review of its strategic concept, setting forth a future role and purpose. NATO's willingness to fulfil a global role is critical to the continued support of the United States. NATO has shortfalls across a range of specific military capabilities which are seen as compromising its ability to mount and sustain the expeditionary operations that underpin the Alliance. The creation of the NATO Response Force is seen as representing a significant achievement but it needs to be financed out of NATO Common Funding. The Committee states that NATO's biggest shortfall is a lack of political will, where a large and growing gap exists between the United States and the European members in defence spending. The Committee further states that the relationship between NATO and the EU is plagued by mistrust and characterised by unhealthy competition. Improving communication and cordination between the two is seen as essential. The Committee views NATO as indispensable to the Alliance.