Mike Penning: In 2016-17 the proportion of those enlisted to the Regular Army as soldiers that were discharged prior to completion of Phase 2 training with grades A* to C, D to G in GCSE English and/or mathematics, and those without either, are as follows: Training Year 2016-17 English Language GCSE grades on entry Proportion not completing training A*-C 20% D-G 26% None 35% ...

Mike Penning: The Armed Forces take their responsibilities toward all their people extremely seriously, particularly where those personnel are under the age of 18. Disclosure and safeguarding checks are one aspect of our safeguarding provisions for those in the 16-18 age group. There is no legal requirement for disclosure and safeguarding checks to be carried out on all instructors at all phase 1 training...

Mike Penning: The Army is the UK's largest provider of apprenticeships as an employer. All direct entry into The Infantry Training Centre Catterick Infantry are enrolled on a Level 2 apprenticeship, as part of the combined Combat Infantryman's Course. Those who have progressed from Army Foundation College Harrogate will already have enrolled onto the apprenticeship. The requirement for a Level 2...

Mike Penning: During the period in question it is assessed that there were a total of 111 enemy wounded in action and a total of 5291,306 enemy killed in action as a result of UK air strikes. The UK cannot visit strike sites and conduct detailed investigations on the ground in Iraq. Therefore the number of combatants killed and/or wounded is an estimated figure only. I will write to the hon. Member shortly...

Mike Penning: The UK Government continues to make a key contribution to NATO's non-combat train, advise and assist mission which is helping the Afghan National Defence and Security forces to build security and stability for the long term. The Afghan Security Forces are in the lead for delivering their own security and it is right that they make their own decisions about how they manage their forces to best...

Mike Penning: The written statement, 'UK Embedded Forces', of 17 December 2015 (HCWS431) informed the House that future updates would be published annually through the Ministry of Defence's annual report and accounts (ARAC). Page 28 of the linked report for financial year (FY) 2015-16 refers: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachm ent_data/file/558559/MoD_AR16.pdf . Figures for FY...

Mike Penning: The UK has not conducted any airstrikes against Jabhat Fatah al-Shams.

Mike Penning: The list of Cabinet Committees and Implementation Taskforces, and their membership, is published on the GOV.UK website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-cabinet-commi ttees-system-and-list-of-cabinet-committees The Secretary of State for Defence attends the European Union Exit and Trade Committee where the agenda concerns his portfolio.

Mike Penning: The Ministry of Defence takes seriously the recommendations of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. Recruitment and Retention Payments (RRP) are paid at Departmental discretion to recruit and retain individuals in specific cadres. It is, therefore, right that RRP is removed when the Department is no longer able to retain the services of an individual to whom RRP is paid.

Mike Penning: Employment restrictions due to nationality status may be imposed within certain Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Branches for security reasons. Such restrictions may be considered on a case by case basis during the initial recruiting process. The different aircraft types and scale of aircrew numbers required by each Service, may result in these restrictions being imposed on individuals at...