1-20 of 41 results for house:"House of Lords"
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.379 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.006 seconds
- Search query
- house:"House of Lords"
- We searched for
- legislature_ses:25277
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
More
Answering member
Legislative stage
Legislation
Subject
More
Publisher
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Maritime Patrol Aircrew worked on Nimrod; how many were redeployed following the deletion of Nimrod; and, of those, how many are now serving overseas.[HL6637]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Maritime Patrol Aircrew worked on Nimrod; how many were redeployed following the deletion of Nimrod; and, of those, how many are now serving overseas.[HL6637]
As at April 2010, a total of 176 Maritime Patrol Aircrew worked on Nimrod, all of whom were re-employed at that time within the RAF. Thirty-four personnel are currently deployed overseas in Maritime Patrol Aircrew seedcorn roles and a further six are overseas in maritime-related exchange posts.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average annual cost per head of Maritime Patrol Aircrew.[HL6638]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average annual cost per head of Maritime Patrol Aircrew.[HL6638]
There are currently 34 RAF aircrew serving overseas as part of the Maritime Patrol Aircrew seedcorn initiative. The cost of this initiative in financial year 2012-13 is £3.8 million.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current level of funding per annum for a Maritime Patrol replacement programme.[HL6639]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current level of funding per annum for a Maritime Patrol replacement programme.[HL6639]
There is currently no funding allocated to a Maritime Patrol replacement programme.
This will be reviewed as part of the 2015 strategic defence and security review. We currently have 34 RAF ex-Nimrod MR2 operators within allied forces to maintain a skills base and keep future options open.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current timescale for the phasing out of the Tornado fleet; what is the cost of retaining the Tornado fleet each year between now and the fleet being phased out; and what is the cost of maintaining each Tornado aircraft per annum.[HL6640]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current timescale for the phasing out of the Tornado fleet; what is the cost of retaining the Tornado fleet each year between now and the fleet being phased out; and what is the cost of maintaining each Tornado aircraft per annum.[HL6640]
The planned out of service date of the Tornado fleet is currently 31 March 2019. Indicative costs per financial year (FY) for retaining the Tornado fleet are provided in the following table. These costs remain subject to change as plans mature.
| FY | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
| £
(million) | 651 | 559 | 442 | 410 | 379 | 333 |
Maintenance arrangements are based on the availability of the required number of aircraft and it is not possible to provide costs on a per-aircraft basis.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the cost of fitting Storm Shadow to the Typhoon; and over what timescale that enhancement will be completed.[HL6641]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the cost of fitting Storm Shadow to the Typhoon; and over what timescale that enhancement will be completed.[HL6641]
Planning for the integration of Storm Shadow on to Typhoon is under way. I am withholding estimates of the cost, as disclosure of this information in advance of a potential competition for the work would be prejudicial to the commercial interests of the Ministry of Defence. Subject to formal approval, provisional timescales for the project envisage entry into service in the latter half of this decade
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the annual cost of the Royal Air Force Regiment; what is the role of the Royal Air Force Regiment; and how its activities will fit into the Army 2020 plans. [HL6642]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the annual cost of the Royal Air Force Regiment; what is the role of the Royal Air Force Regiment; and how its activities will fit into the Army 2020 plans. [HL6642]
The RAF Regiment is a fully integral part of the RAF, providing air-related force protection in the UK and on operations abroad. The annual cost of the core RAF Regiment force is around £120 million.
Specific roles include force protection for airfields and the surrounding ground defence areas in operational theatres in order to prevent stand-off attack against airfields and aircraft on approach and departure; provision of a very high readiness, defence-wide, specialist chemical, biological radiological and nuclear (CBRN) capability and providing protection for the helicopters that undertake the medical emergency response team (MERT) role. Additionally, the RAF Regiment’s Queen’s Colour Squadron is the RAF’s principal ceremonial unit for public duties, alongside its other role as a field squadron.
In the context of Army 2020, in addition to its other roles, the RAF Regiment will contribute to air-land integration by providing a significant proportion of high readiness forward air controllers and tactical air control parties and all specialist CBRN capabilities.
My Lords, under the last Government a settlement programme was agreed for Iraqi staff and their dependants. At the end of last year, the shadow Home Secretary called on the Government to offer a settlement scheme for Afghan interpreters who had helped and worked alongside British troops, in some cases suffering injury and now facing threats from the Taliban as our troops pull out. If someone now fears for his own and his family’s safety as a result of working with our soldiers and helping to fight for Britain’s long-term security, we should be prepared to act. Why is there any hesitation on the part of the Government when these are people who have surely been through the hardest citizenship test one could envisage?
My Lords, under the last Government a settlement programme was agreed for Iraqi staff and their dependants. At the end of last year, the shadow Home Secretary called on the Government to offer a settlement scheme for Afghan interpreters who had helped and worked alongside British troops, in some cases suffering injury and now facing threats from the Taliban as our troops pull out. If someone now fears for his own and his family’s safety as a result of working with our soldiers and helping to fight for Britain’s long-term security, we should be prepared to act. Why is there any hesitation on the part of the Government when these are people who have surely been through the hardest citizenship test one could envisage?
My Lords, there is no hesitation. We take our responsibility for all members of staff very seriously and have put in place measures to reduce the risks they face. Precautions are taken during recruitment and staff are fully briefed of any risks involved in their work before taking up employment. As I said, the Government are looking into this matter, and I hope to report back to the House later this year.
There is a perception that unmanned technology is shrouded in secrecy. Although the rules of engagement for unmanned aerial vehicles are the same as those for manned aircraft, there is surely a case for the United Kingdom taking the lead by considering having a code on the context and limitations of usage of UAVs to clarify the rules, given the significance and spread of this technology. Is this a point that the Government are considering or will consider?
There is a perception that unmanned technology is shrouded in secrecy. Although the rules of engagement for unmanned aerial vehicles are the same as those for manned aircraft, there is surely a case for the United Kingdom taking the lead by considering having a code on the context and limitations of usage of UAVs to clarify the rules, given the significance and spread of this technology. Is this a point that the Government are considering or will consider?
My Lords, I shall certainly take that question back to my department and get back to the noble Lord. We always make sure that equipment is used appropriately. Even after a weapon system is declared lawful, its use will still be subject to stringent rules of engagement governing its employment in the context and specific circumstances of the operation in question. Those rules of engagement as well as addressing legal issues can, as a matter of policy, be more restrictive than the applicable law.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total cost of providing housing for Armed Forces personnel in each of the past four financial years; what is the estimated total cost of such housing in the current financial year; and what is the projected total cost of such housing for...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total cost of providing housing for Armed Forces personnel in each of the past four financial years; what is the estimated total cost of such housing in the current financial year; and what is the projected total cost of such housing for...
The total expenditure in the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) for the provision of housing in the UK is shown in the following table:
| Financial
Year | Expenditure
(£
million) | Status |
| 2008-2009 | 245 | Actual |
| 2009-2010 | 275 | Actual |
| 2010-2011 | 268 | Actual |
| 2011-2012 | 326 | Actual |
| 2012-2013 | 415 | Forecast |
The values given include rental payments, repair and maintenance, contributions in lieu of council tax, improvements, upgrading and refurbishing of accommodation and purchasing new housing. Costs are net of the contributions from service personnel. DIO staff and management costs are not included.
The total expenditure in DIO for the provision of housing, outside the UK, is shown in the following:
| Financial
Year | Expenditure
(£m) | Status |
| 2008-2009 | 80 | Actual |
| 2009-2010 | 84 | Actual |
| 2010-2011 | 93 | Actual |
| 2011-2012 | 102 | Actual |
| 2012-2013 | 76 | Forecast |
The values given are the costs of leasing properties in Germany along with repair and maintenance, improvements, refurbishments and upgrading of houses in Germany and elsewhere overseas.
I am not able to give expenditure in future years at this stage as our plans are still being formed. However, the Army Basing Plan announcement by the Defence Secretary on 5 March 2013 (Official Report, cols. 845-48) is underpinned by a capital investment from the defence budget of £1.8 billion, including £l billion of investment in new accommodation including 1,900 new and refurbished units of service family accommodation and 7,800 single living accommodation bed spaces.
My Lords, the Government have made as nifty a U-turn as a London taxicab on implementing the X-factor supplement recommendation. Yet the contract for the chairman of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, Alasdair Smith, is not being renewed. He said that, because of the late decision and the time needed to make another appointment, his successor will miss the first half of the year’s programme of work, including all the visits to members of the Armed Forces that are a hugely important part of the role. That statement indicates that this was a sudden decision by the Government, made following receipt of the pay review body’s recommendations at the end of January, since just over two weeks later Alasdair Smith was told that he would be finishing at the end of this month. In view of their hasty U-turn, will the Government now offer Professor Smith a further term as chairman? After all, he will have the confidence of members of the Armed Forces since he upheld the independence of the pay review body—or is that the problem?
My Lords, the Government have made as nifty a U-turn as a London taxicab on implementing the X-factor supplement recommendation. Yet the contract for the chairman of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, Alasdair Smith, is not being renewed. He said that, because of the late decision and the time needed to make another appointment, his successor will miss the first half of the year’s programme of work, including all the visits to members of the Armed Forces that are a hugely important part of the role. That statement indicates that this was a sudden decision by the Government, made following receipt of the pay review body’s recommendations at the end of January, since just over two weeks later Alasdair Smith was told that he would be finishing at the end of this month. In view of their hasty U-turn, will the Government now offer Professor Smith a further term as chairman? After all, he will have the confidence of members of the Armed Forces since he upheld the independence of the pay review body—or is that the problem?
My Lords, there is no link between the Prime Minister’s decision not to reappoint Professor Smith and the increase to X-factor. The Prime Minister’s decision not to extend Professor Smith’s appointment represents broader government policy regarding no automatic right to reappointment to
non-departmental public bodies such as the pay review body. The decision is in line with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies. An interim chair, John Steele, has been drawn from the remaining members of the AFPRB until a formal replacement can be appointed.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made towards achieving the projected increase in the size of the United Kingdom’s reserve forces.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made towards achieving the projected increase in the size of the United Kingdom’s reserve forces.
My Lords, the first year of the Future Reserves 2020 programme has been about stabilisation and understanding. The number of inquiries about reserve service has increased, and early indications are that strength is stabilising. We recently conducted a public consultation to ensure that the right relationships were established between reservists and their families, their employers and the Armed Forces. We intend to publish a White Paper in the spring that will set the conditions to deliver the reserve force strength we require.
My Lords, the future strength and capability of our Armed Forces is dependent on increasing our Reserve Forces to 30,000 by 2018, yet the Territorial Army has declined by 1,000 over each of the last three years. In the year up to this March, it looks as though the number of recruits will be well below target. A Federation of Small Businesses survey showed that even among members who are open to employing reservists, two out of every five believe that the Government’s future requirement that reservists serve and are away from their civilian jobs for one year out of every five would negatively impact their business. What action do the Government intend to take to accelerate recruitment to our reserves; what incentives will be given to employers to hire reservists; and what protection will be given to reservists to prevent them being discriminated against in respect of both hiring and promotion?
My Lords, the future strength and capability of our Armed Forces is dependent on increasing our Reserve Forces to 30,000 by 2018, yet the Territorial Army has declined by 1,000 over each of the last three years. In the year up to this March, it looks as though the number of recruits will be well below target. A Federation of Small Businesses survey showed that even among members who are open to employing reservists, two out of every five believe that the Government’s future requirement that reservists serve and are away from their civilian jobs for one year out of every five would negatively impact their business. What action do the Government intend to take to accelerate recruitment to our reserves; what incentives will be given to employers to hire reservists; and what protection will be given to reservists to prevent them being discriminated against in respect of both hiring and promotion?
My Lords, we acknowledge that this is the start of a challenging programme to reshape our Armed Forces. We inherited Reserve Forces
that were in decline and not being used in the most cost-effective way. What we are setting out to do is sensible and achievable, and the planned strengths are well within historic levels. However, we are not complacent, and we are already running a major recruiting campaign for the TA. This has already resulted in over 6,650 inquiries since it started on 17 January. The Government are fully committed to delivering Reserve Forces that are integral to and integrated with the Regular Forces, and we are investing an additional £1.8 billion over the next 10 years.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which statutory instruments originating from the Home Office and in effect on 31 May 2010 no longer apply; on what dates those instruments ceased to apply; which statutory instruments have originated from the Home Office on or after 31 May 2010; and on what dates...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government which statutory instruments originating from the Home Office and in effect on 31 May 2010 no longer apply; on what dates those instruments ceased to apply; which statutory instruments have originated from the Home Office on or after 31 May 2010; and on what dates...
The statutory instruments originating from the Home Office and in effect on 31 May 2010 which have been revoked by statutory instrument, together with the dates of such revocation, are set out in table 1, which will be placed in the House Library.
In addition, the following statutory instruments which were in effect on 31 May 2010 have been expressly revoked by Home Office primary legislation passed since that date: the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Amendments to Schedule 2) Order 2005 (SI 2005/224) with effect from one October 2012; and the Identity Cards Act 2006 (Information and Code of Practice on Penalties) Order 2009 (SI 2009/2570) with effect from 21 January 2011.
There are likely to be many other statutory instruments in effect on 31 May 2010 which have been revoked automatically if the provisions under which they were made have since been repealed by primary legislation, but no central records exist in such cases.
The statutory instruments which have originated from the Home Office on or after 31 May 2010, and the dates on which those instruments came into effect, are set out in table two which will be placed in the House Library. The table does not include statutory instruments (made between 31 May 2010 and 4 September 2012) which, although processed within the Home Office, related to the Government Equalities Office. That Office is no longer located within the Home Office.
| Table
1 | |
| Home
Office statutory instruments in effect on 31 May 2010 which no longer
apply | |
| Title | Date
of
revocation |
| The
Immigration and Nationality (Cost Recovery Fees) Regulations 2010 (SI
2010/228) | 1
October
2010 |
| The
Misuse of Drugs (Licence Fees) Regulations 1986 (SI
1986/416) | 15 November
2010 |
| The
Misuse of Drugs (Licence Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (SI
2003/611) | 15 November
2010 |
| The
Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2010 (SI
2010/778) | 22 November
2010 |
| The
Immigration (Designation of Travel Bans) (Amendment) Order 2009 (SI
2009/3044) | 20 December
2010 |
| The
Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Exemption) (Aviation Security)
Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/428) | 14 January
2011 |
| The
Private Security Industry Act 2001 (Exemption) (Aviation Security)
Regulations 2006 (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (SI
2009/2964) | 14 January
2011 |
| The
Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Order 2007 (SI
2007/807) | 6 April
2011 |
| The
Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2008 (SI
2008/166) | 6 April
2011 |
| The
Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2009 (SI
2009/420) | 6 April
2011 |
| The
Accession (Immigration and Worker Registration) Regulations 2004 (SI
2004/1219) were revoked with savings | 1 May
2011 |
| The
Accession (Immigration and Worker Registration) (Amendment) Regulations
2007 (SI 2007/928) | 1 May
2011 |
| The
Accession (Immigration and Worker Registration) (Amendment) Regulations
2009 (SI 2009/892) | 1 May
2011 |
| The
Asylum Support (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (SI
2010/784) | 18 April
2011 |
| The
Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (No.2) Regulations 2010 (SI
2010/778) | 6 April
2011 |
| The
Immigration Services Commissioner (Registration Fee) Order 2004 (SI
2004/802) | 8 July
2011 |
| The
Immigration (Procedure for Marriage) Regulations 2005 (SI
2005/15) | 1 December
2011 |
| The
Immigration (Procedure for Formation of Civil Partnerships) Regulations
2005 (SI 2005/2917) | 1 December
2011 |
| The
Licensing Act 2003 (Persistent Selling of Alcohol to Children)
(Prescribed Form of Closure Notice) Regulations
2007/1183 | 25 April
2012 |
| The
Police (Complaints and Misconduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2008/2866
were revoked with savings | 22 November
2012 |
| The Police
(Complaints and Misconduct) (Amendment) Regulations 2006/1406 were
revoked with savings | 22 November
2012 |
| The
Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2004/643 were revoked
with savings | 22 November
2012 |
| The
Police Appeals Tribunals Rules 2008/2863 were revoked with
savings | 22 November
2012 |
| The
Police (Performance) Regulations 2008/2862 were revoked with
savings | 22 November
2012 |
| The
Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008/2864 were revoked with
savings | 22 November
2012 |
| The
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (Amendment) Regulations
1993/2102 | 1 January
2013 |
| The
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Fees) Order
2000/480 | 1 January
2013 |
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the value of supplies and equipment lost by the Ministry of Defence in each of the past two financial years; what is the estimated value of lost supplies and equipment during the current financial year; and what is the projected value of lost...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the value of supplies and equipment lost by the Ministry of Defence in each of the past two financial years; what is the estimated value of lost supplies and equipment during the current financial year; and what is the projected value of lost...
Information on losses and special payments is published annually in the Ministry of Defence's annual report and accounts. The most recent amounts cover the financial year 2011-12.
In the first eight months of 2012-13, losses of accountable stores totalled £8.4 million. Such losses include losses by fraud, theft, arson, sabotage, and repairable damage to buildings, accidental damage, fire, items lost in transit and items exceeding the expiry date.
It is difficult to estimate future losses, but advance notifications of cases of losses that are ongoing, have not been signed off and whose estimated value exceeds £250,000 are detailed in the annual report and accounts. The values of these cases may change, however, when they have been completed and this will be reflected in the final figures that appear in annual reports and accounts.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 5 February (WS 5) on the Committee on Standards in Public Life, which public services are covered by the words “public services” in the penultimate line of the fourth paragraph of that statement.[HL5494]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Statement by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 5 February (WS 5) on the Committee on Standards in Public Life, which public services are covered by the words “public services” in the penultimate line of the fourth paragraph of that statement.[HL5494]
As paragraph 49 of the report of the triennial review of the Committee on Standards in Public Life makes clear, this comment on the committee’s remit is intended to clarify that it
can examine issues relating to the ethical standards of the delivery of public services by private and voluntary sector organisations, paid for by public funds, even where those delivering the services have not been appointed or elected to public office.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the expenditure on consultants by the Ministry of Defence in each of the past two financial years; what is the estimated expenditure on such consultants for the current financial year; and what is the projected expenditure on such consultants for each of the...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the expenditure on consultants by the Ministry of Defence in each of the past two financial years; what is the estimated expenditure on such consultants for the current financial year; and what is the projected expenditure on such consultants for each of the...
Expenditure on external assistance by the Ministry of Defence and its trading funds was £26 million in financial year 2010-11 and £19 million in 2011-12. I am withholding the information for future years as it relates to the formulation of government policy. The department shall, however, continue to publish the annual outturn on external consultancy, with a breakdown by category of expenditure, in UK Defence Statistics: http://www.dasa.mod.uk/ modintranet/UKDS/UKDS2012/c1/table109.php.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what areas of Home Office responsibility, previously carried out by non-departmental public bodies and covered by the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, are no longer subject to the terms of that act as a result of the implementation of the Public Bodies...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what areas of Home Office responsibility, previously carried out by non-departmental public bodies and covered by the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, are no longer subject to the terms of that act as a result of the implementation of the Public Bodies...
No areas of Home Office responsibility have ceased to be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as a result of the implementation of the Public Bodies Act 2011.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the value and acreage of land owned by the Ministry of Defence; and what is the value and acreage of that land which is no longer in use for operational purposes.[HL5308]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the value and acreage of land owned by the Ministry of Defence; and what is the value and acreage of that land which is no longer in use for operational purposes.[HL5308]
The total area of land owned by the Ministry of Defence in the UK is some 229,100 hectares, of which some 3,135 hectares is currently surplus to operational requirements.
Details of Ministry of Defence land holdings with asset valuation over £1 million can be found in chapter 7 of the National Asset Register, last published by HM Treasury in 2007, at the following link: http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm70/7022/7022.pdf.
The National Asset Register is on a historic replacement cost basis, not market value. Details of all property with asset valuation below £1 million could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
We do not routinely assess the current market value of all our estate because the estimated receipts will depend on market conditions and other factors at the time of sale. Where pre-sale valuations have been obtained, these are regarded as commercially confidential and are thus not released ahead of the sale in case they influence the market.
My Lords, we, too, offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Captain Walter Barrie. His death is another all-too-frequent reminder of the enormous sacrifices still being made by members of our Armed Forces in the service of our country.
The report of the public inquiry into the death of Iraqi civilian Baha Mousa found that military guidance on key ethical questions was not provided to regimental medical officers at the time. Is the Minister now satisfied that if there were to be an increase in the proportion of medical personnel who were reservists, appropriate guidance would always be given to them prior to deployment, and that they would be as able as regular medical officers to resist any pressures to prioritise their obligations or loyalties to the military over their ethical duties to patients? Further, will the medical services available to members of the Reserve Forces post-deployment be the same as the medical services available to members of the Regular Forces post-deployment?
My Lords, we, too, offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Captain Walter Barrie. His death is another all-too-frequent reminder of the enormous sacrifices still being made by members of our Armed Forces in the service of our country.
The report of the public inquiry into the death of Iraqi civilian Baha Mousa found that military guidance on key ethical questions was not provided to regimental medical officers at the time. Is the Minister now satisfied that if there were to be an increase in the proportion of medical personnel who were reservists, appropriate guidance would always be given to them prior to deployment, and that they would be as able as regular medical officers to resist any pressures to prioritise their obligations or loyalties to the military over their ethical duties to patients? Further, will the medical services available to members of the Reserve Forces post-deployment be the same as the medical services available to members of the Regular Forces post-deployment?
My Lords, in answer to the noble Lord’s first question, I am pretty certain that I can give him that assurance. Like a number of noble Lords, I have been to Afghanistan and seen the hospital at Camp Bastion. I talked to a number of reservists. They work to an incredibly high standard. The NHS is very grateful for what its personnel pick up there and are able to take back to their respective trusts.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 23 October (WA 58), whether the statement made on 15 October and the terms of reference for the Laidlaw inquiry into the InterCity West Coast franchise competition were intended either to provide for or to enable...
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 23 October (WA 58), whether the statement made on 15 October and the terms of reference for the Laidlaw inquiry into the InterCity West Coast franchise competition were intended either to provide for or to enable...
The Laidlaw inquiry will look the roles and responsibilities of different advisory and decision making parties within the Department for Transport and externally in relation to this competition, including the Board Investment and Commercial Committee, the Contract Awards Committee and the Rail Refranchising Programme Board; how well these committees performed their roles, and what can be learned from this about the appropriate structure for governance and assurance of major contract awards.
The Department for Transport’s board was not responsible for approving the award of the InterCity West Coast franchise competition. The department’s governance procedures for major contract awards did not require the board to be consulted.