HC Deb 16 December 2003 vol 415 c843W
Mr. Paul Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the three services he expects to be(a) serving abroad and (b) deployed on front-line duties between 24 December and 2 January 2004; what percentage of the trained strength of each force this represents; what provisions he has made to ensure family contact over that period; and if he will make a statement. [142578]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 11 December 2003]: The number of Naval Service personnel expected to be stationed abroad between 24 December and 2 January 2004 is 2,209, representing 5.9 per cent. of the trained strength. Of this, 1,223 (3.3 per cent.) personnel will be deployed on front-line duties.

In the Army, 40,842 personnel are expected to be stationed abroad, representing 40 per cent. of the trained strength. Of this, approximately 19,500 (19 per cent.) are expected to be deployed on front-line duties.

The number of RAF personnel stationed abroad at 1 November 2003 was 4,895. This is not expected to change significantly by 24 December 2003. This figure represents 10 per cent. of the trained strength. Of this, the number of personnel expected to be deployed on operations is approximately 1,800 (3.7 per cent.).

Of those stationed overseas on operations, or otherwise, a proportion are likely to be away from their duty station on leave or individual courses.

An Operational Welfare Package (OWP) is available for those personnel on operations, exercises and deployments which are expected to last for two months or more. It includes many welfare enablers for the deployed Service person, including 20 minutes of publicly funded telephone calls per person per week, internet, e-bluey and postal access and was extended in April 2003 to provide public funds to improve communications between families and those deployed.

Over the period 22 December—2 January an additional 20 minutes of telephone calls has been authorised. This means that 40 minutes of publicly funded telephone calls will be available over the Christmas/new year period to families and friends to any destination in the world.

Individuals also have the opportunity to buy further telephone minutes as they require.