Mike Penning: The information requested, as at 1 March of each year, is provided below: 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 OF4 – Commander 1,040 1,040 1,030 1,020 1,030 OF5 – Captain 280 270 280 280 270 Notes: Includes total trained Regular and Full-Time Reserve Service Regular personnelBased on Paid Rank.In line with published data, all numbers have been rounded to the...

Mike Penning: Incidents requiring explosive ordnance disposal experts in Northern Ireland are dealt with solely by military personnel. Between 1 January and 31 March 2017 explosive ordnance disposal personnel have responded to 59 incidents in Northern Ireland.

Mike Penning: The published total trained strength for Regular and Full-Time Reserve Service Personnel in the Royal Marines as at 1 March 2017 is 6,790. This includes Royal Marines who are managed as part of the relevant Royal Navy branches. The figure has been taken from the RN/RM Monthly Situation Report and further statistical information can be found at:...

Mike Penning: The UK contributed two Royal Navy Merlin Mark 2 helicopters and 65 personnel to the NATO-led Exercise Dynamic Manta 2017.

Mike Penning: UK Armed Forces currently deployed to Iraq under Op SHADER are not involved with the detention or interrogation of any Iraqi prisoners. As such, there is no requirement for UK Armed Forces to make any video recordings of any interrogations of Iraqi detainees.

Mike Penning: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The security and stability of the UK has long depended on our strong partnerships in the Euro-Atlantic area, including NATO. Indeed, NATO remains the cornerstone of UK defence. Our European neighbours represent some of our closest friends and NATO allies, and our defence engagement with them reflects this as routine...

Mike Penning: Junaid Hussain and Mohammed Emwazi were members of Daesh. The UK has been working as part of a Coalition since September 2014 which was invited by the Iraqi Prime Minister to defeat Daesh, on the legal basis of the collective self-defence of Iraq. This was confirmed by the UK Permanent Representative to the UN in a letter dated 25 November 2014 to the UN Secretary-General and the President of...

Mike Penning: The costs of the planned Joint Intelligence Analysis Centre at RAF Croughton will be primarily funded by the United States, with some costs falling to the Ministry of Defence. However, as the Department will shortly be tendering for the works it would not be appropriate to release the costs as to do so would prejudice commercial interests.

Mike Penning: In the last five years no instructors from the Army Foundation College, Harrogate have failed the Army Staff and Leadership School (ASLS) course. Information on those arriving and completing courses at ASLS without Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. All permanent staff posts at Army Foundation College,...

Mike Penning: Of those aged under 18 years of age on enlistment to the Regular Army as soldiers, the total number discharged under the category of 'defect in enlistment procedure' was 50 in 2015-16 and 30 in 2016-17. Totals have been rounded to the nearest '5'. The specific reasons leading to defect in enlistment discharges are not recorded centrally, but include medical/health reasons, or previously...