Executive Agencies (Hansard, 15 January 1996)

§ Mr. Arbuthnot

These matters are the responsibility of the chief executives of the Defence Agencies. I have asked the chief executives of the agencies to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from G. H. Wilson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the safeguarding of the provision of pre-retirement courses as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of this Agency. We are not seeking to make economies in this area and I am taking positive action to safeguard any entitlement to pre-retirement courses which Service personnel of this Agency have.

Letter from P. Niedzwiedzki to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: REFERENCE: A. PQ REFERENCE: 9883G I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the provision of pre-retirement courses as this area falls within the area of responsibility of the Chief Executive of Service Children's Schools (North West Europe) Agency. SCS(NWE) staff are eligible to apply for places on MOD pre-retirement courses. Course places are arranged and approved by CM(Welfare) and the courses themselves are usually held in the UK. Participant's travel and subsistence expenses are met by the Agency. There is a regular uptake of such courses by SCS(NWE) staff. The Agency's Framework Document confirms that welfare services are one of a range of central services provided by the MOD to the Agency. SCS(NWE) expects the current level of welfare support, including pre-retirement sources, to be continued without diminution.

Letter from Colonel A. H. Roach to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about what action heads of his Department's executive agencies are taking to safeguard the provision of pre-retirement courses in the event of such agencies seeking to make economies as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Animal Centre (DAC). The DAC has no intention, either now or in the future, of seeking to economise on the provision of pre-retirement courses to eligible military or civilian personnel.

Letter front Paul Altobell to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRY NUMBER 9883G I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about pre-retirement courses as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA). DASA has no plans to take special action in respect of pre-retirement courses. It is our custom to follow the lead of our parent department, the Ministry of Defence, in these matters.

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Letter from Brigadier A. W. Pollard to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION (PQ9883G—THE PROVISION OF PRE-RETIREMENT COURSES TO AGENCY PERSONNEL I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about what action I am taking to safeguard the provision of pre-retirement courses, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Logistic Information Systems Agency (LISA). All of my military staff who reach the end of their careers while serving at LISA are entitled to the normal resettlement facilities offered by the Services. My civilian staff have the same access as that enjoyed by other Civil Servants to a comprehensive programme of pre-retirement courses. I am keen to preserve the entitlement in both cases and, in my Agency, they would be unlikely targets for saving measures.

Letter front J. R. Prince to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION—ARMY TECHNICAL SUPPORT AGENCY I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about safeguarding the provision of pre-retirement courses in the event of Agencies seeking to make economies as this matter falls in my area of responsibility. The number of staff reaching retirement age in the Army Technical Support Agency in any one year is small, as are the costs associated with pre-retirement training courses. I regard pre-retirement training as an important part of preparing loyal Agency staff for retirement and, as such, would not expect to include such training in any economy exercise.

Letter from R. H. Embleton to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: In the absence on duty of the Chief Executive, I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about safeguarding the provision of pre-retirement courses. I regard the provision of pre-retirement courses as important. All military and civilian staff of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency are encouraged to attend such courses as they may be eligible, and entitled to under MOD regulations. I have no plans to change this situation.

Letter from Rear Admiral J. H. S. McAnally to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question, about safeguarding the provision of pre-retirement courses in the event of agency economies, in my capacity as Chief Executive of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency (NRTA). All but the most senior (CDS) Naval personnel leave the Royal Navy before the national retirement age. In order to assist them in preparing for, and identifying a suitable second career in civilian life, they are eligible to undertake a variety of pre-release resettlement (pre-retirement) training. The provision of resettlement training is the responsibility of the tri-Service Resettlement Organisation (TSRO) which does not form part of the NRTA. However, as Chief Executive of the NRTA, I am publicly committed in the Agency Corporate Plan "to meet the Personnel Functional Standards in respect of Service Personnel and, where appropriate, adopt similar principles for civilian employees." Personnel Functional Standards are a set of mandatory and common standards that are applied to all RN personnel wherever they are serving. The Standards may not be amended without the approval of the Navy Board. An appropriate Personnel Functional standard exists for the provision of resettlement training. In view of the foregoing, if it should be necessary to seek economies from within the agency, the provision of resettlement courses should not be affected.

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Letter from Air Vice-Marshal R. H. Kyle to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about safeguarding the provision of pre-retirement courses in the event of Defence Agencies seeking to make economies because this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Maintenance Group Defence Agency (RAF MGDA). All retiring MOD Civil Servants employed within the RAF MGDA have the opportunity to attend a pre-retirement course; this would normally take place within their last 12 months of service. I recognise this as a most valuable contribution to preparing staff for retirement and it is not a provision which would suffer as a result of any economy measure within the RAF MGDA. To reinforce this I shall be including an appropriate commitment in the RAF MGDA Civilian Training Plan.

Letter front Keith Ellender to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the provision of pre-retirement courses as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Disposal Sales Agency. The provision of pre-retirement courses for staff in my Agency comes from central Ministry of Defence funds, in the same way that it used to before agency status was achieved.

Letter front Brian Raine to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about safeguarding the provision of pre-retirement courses as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of Queen Victoria School. I attach considerable importance to pre-retirement courses and staff are invited to apply for such courses conducted by either the Civil Service Council for Further Education or Local Education Authorities. This Agency has not sought, and currently has no plans to seek, economies in this area. If you have any further questions about this do not hesitate to contact me.

Letter from D. A. Thomas to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about pre-retirement courses on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Defence Accounts Agency as this matters falls within his area of responsibility. The Defence Accounts Agency will continue to ensure that all eligible staff have the opportunity to attend pre-retirement courses. Currently, provision within the Agency is normally by the MOD Welfare Service, but, if necessary, courses are also arranged locally on site or externally. Irrespective of any future proposed economy measures, it is not intended that these arrangements should be altered.

Letter from Captain W. S. Graham to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996:

1. I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence on what action is taken within the 'Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation (NARO)' to safeguard the provision of pre-retirement courses as the matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the NARO.
2. Personnel have the opportunity to attend pre-retirement courses in Portsmouth Naval Base. There are 4 per year.
3. In the event that they were stopped, we would organise our own, either by using in-house training facilities or contractors.

Letter front P. A. James to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying, on behalf of the Chief Executive of Military Survey Defence Agency (who is on duty in Germany) to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the provision 433W of pre-retirement courses in Executive Agencies, as this matter falls within the Chief Executive's area of responsibility and I am his deputy. Military Survey supports the continued use of pre-retirement courses run by the Ministry of Defence. Military Survey has always encouraged personnel to attend pre-retirement courses. We have no plans to change this policy.

Letter from Brigadier M. G. R. Hodson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your Question (PQ9883G) to the Secretary of State for Defence, about safeguarding the provision of pre-retirement courses, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Transport and Movements Executive Agency (DTMX). For civil servants, pre-retirement courses are carried out centrally and continue to be available to Agency staff. Courses are normally offered 6 months before retirement and there are no plans to restrict their availability. For Service personnel, resettlement courses, which are comprehensive and available to all military in their last two years of service, and are designed to provide training for a second career, continue to be provided. There are no plans to limit eligibility. I trust that this answers your concerns. Please be assured that I will always act in the best interests of my staff, both civilian and military.

Letter from Brigadier M. J. Roycroft to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the provision of pre-retirement courses. As the Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency (DCTA), I can confirm that my Agency will continue to offer all eligible staff the opportunity of attending pre-retirement courses. I do not foresee a situation arising which would cause me to change this policy. If I can be of further help to you, please let me know.

Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about pre-retirement courses as, for the staff of the Meterological Office, this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive. The Meterological Office offers a pre-retirement course to all staff. I have no intention of changing this practice.

Letter from Air Commodore P. C. Ayee to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about what actions heads of executive agencies were taking to safeguard pre-retirement courses, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment Defence Agency. The cost of pre-retirement courses do not fall to the Agency. Pre-retirement courses for civil servants are funded directly from MOD central funds, and resettlement courses for service personnel are funded by the RAF Personnel and Training Command. Thus, any Agency economies would not affect the provision of such courses.

Letter from M. R. Pack to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: Your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about pre-retirement courses for staff in his agencies has been referred to the Chief Executive of the Hydrographic Office. Unfortunately Admiral Essenhigh is at present absent from the Office on official duty so I am replying to you on his behalf. It is the policy of the Hydrographic Office Defence Agency to offer pre-retirement courses to all employees who are approaching retirement. These pre-retirement courses are conducted by the 434W Somerset College of Arts and Technology which is based in Taunton. There is no intention that this policy should be changed in any way. It is recognised by the senior management of the Hydrographic Office that these courses provide a very valuable service in assisting staff to cope better with the transition to the different lifestyle which retirement brings. I hope this information has been of assistance.

Letter from Air Commodore A. A. Nicholson to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about safeguarding the provision of pre-retirement courses in executive agencies, insofar as this bears on my own responsibilities for the Training Group Defence Agency. I can confirm that this Agency is not seeking to make economies by reducing the provision of pre-retirement courses; and that I maintain a close interest in any proposed changes beyond the Agency's boundaries, which might affect my personnel in this respect. I am sending a copy of this letter to the Agency's owner, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Personnel & Training Command.

Letter from Brigadier K. J. W. Goad to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: As Chief Executive of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency (ABSDA), I reply to your question, to the Secretary of State for Defence, about pre-retirement courses within Defence Agencies. Pre-retirement courses for both military and civilian ABSDA staff are funded centrally by the MoD. Within the Agency, staff are actively encouraged to make full use of redundancy counselling, outplacement services and pre-retirement courses. I can state, categorically, that ABSDA is not seeking to make economies in this area. I trust that I have fully answered your enquiry; if not, please come back to me.

Letter from Brigadier J. R. Drew to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 15 January 1996: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about pre-retirement courses, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO). There have been no changes in the policy on pre-retirement courses since ABRO was established as a Defence Agency in April 1993. In accordance with central Ministry of Defence (MOD) policy, all staff have the opportunity to attend one pre-retirement course, which should take place during the last 12 months of service, to ensure that the information given, particularly on pensions and financial matters, is current. Where possible the arrangements are tailored to suit the individual. MOD pre-retirement courses are available either locally or in London, but in some cases individuals opt for courses at nearby colleges. Staff leaving ABRO on early retirement or redundancy may take advantage of the MOD Outplacement Scheme (MODOPS), which provides a more extensive range of training and guidance than the standard pre-retirement courses. In the last 6 months some 53 ABRO employees have retired or been made redundant. Not all choose to attend a pre-retirement course, and in cases of medical retirement this often proves impractical. During that 6-month period, however, 21 have attended courses at their local college, 6 have attended local MOD pre-retirement courses and 7 have benefitted from the MOD Outplacement arrangements. There are no plans to change existing arrangements.

Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 16 January 1996: Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what action heads of his Department's executive agencies are taking to safeguard the provision of pre-retirement courses; and if he will make a statement has been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). 435W In DERA, despite a significant cost reduction programme, our policy on retirement is unchanged and pre-retirement courses continue to be provided for employees. The provision of such courses has been delegated to business sectors, but if the numbers of retirees does not merit a sector specific event, then individuals may be nominated to a central scheme. Clearly DERA is always striving to improve it's efficiency and the cost effectiveness of all services, including the provision of pre-retirement courses is subject to regular review. However, it is our intention to continue to provide these courses since they are undoubtedly helpful to individuals approaching retirement since they provide guidance and help in making the transition. I hope this information is helpful.