To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many instructors have enrolled in and completed training at the Staff Leadership School at Pirbright; how many and what proportion of instructors have completed the Train the Trainer courses; and what target date he has set for the completion of mandatory training for all instructors on the training estate. (230789)

A total of 2,244 instructors have enrolled and completed courses at the Army Staff Leadership School (ASLS) at Pirbright since its opening in April 2007. Of those, 1,791 completed the full and accredited Defence Train the Trainer (DTTT) course and the remainder completed an appropriately tailored version for personnel working in proximity of, but not directly instructing, trainees. At 30 September 2008 the proportion of instructors trained by ASLS was 81 per cent. across the training establishments commanded by Director General Army Recruiting and Training.

The revised policy for staff delivering formal training, issued on 1 August 2008, requires all instructors to gain this qualification. This should, ideally, be achieved prior to taking up their instructional post or, where this is not possible, within three months of taking up instructional duties during which time they are to be very closely supervised. Work is in hand to ensure that all instructors in initial formal training have received the DTTT course, the current target being to ensure that, by December 2008, 95 per cent. of instructors have been trained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken by the Army to establish and maintain central records of written policy changes within the training estate. (230821)

The Army's policy for recruit training is maintained by Headquarters (HQ) Army Recruiting and Training Division (ARTD) and is derived from Defence and other Army policies. It is promulgated via the ARTD handbook, a web based document which is available to all Army training units via the Army Intranet. Each element of policy is owned by an officer within the HQ who is responsible for ensuring the published policy is kept up to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits enrolled in the Army Junior Entry Phase 1 training at (a) Army Foundation College Harrogate, (b) Army Training Regiment Winchester and (c) other establishments in 2007; and what progress has been made extending the duration of Phase 1 training at Army Training Regiment Bassingbourn. (230900)

In financial year 2007-08, 1,309 Junior Entry recruits commenced training at the Army Foundation College Harrogate and 863 at Army Training Regiment Bassingbourn.

Junior Entry training switched from Bassingbourn to Army Training Regiment Winchester in August/September 2008. This is in line with the recommendation in Sir Nicholas Blake QC’s “Deepcut Review” that those under 17 should be trained in establishments catering exclusively for this age group. Prior to this, no junior entry training was conducted at Winchester.

There are currently no plans to extend the Junior Entry Phase 1 course at Winchester beyond its present 23 weeks, which consists of 20 weeks tuition and three weeks leave.