House of Commons Hansard Debates for 15 May 1990

DEFENCE

Nuclear Power Stations

12. Mr. McCartney : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department will give consideration to contributing to the decommissioning cost of Calder Hall and Chapelcross.

25. Mr. Graham : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department will give consideration to contributing to the decommissioning cost of Calder Hall and Chapelcross.

65. Mr. Cohen : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department will give consideration to contributing to the decommissioning cost of Calder Hall and Chapelcross.

Mr. Alan Clark : The Ministry of Defence intends to meet its share of the future costs of decommissioning the reactors at Calder Hall and Chapelcross.

Brawdy Radar Station

13. Dr. Kim Howells : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will undertake further studies into (a) the health effects and (b) the environmental implications of the Brawdy radar.

46. Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will undertake further studies into (a) the health effects and (b) the environmental implications of the Brawdy radar.

51. Mr. Murphy : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will undertake further studies into (a) the health effects and (b) the environmenal implications of the Brawdy radar.

54. Mr. John P. Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will undertake further studies into (a) the health effects and (b) the environmental implications of the Brawdy radar.

Mr. Alan Clark : The health and environmental implications of the over-the-horizon radar transmitter which we propose to locate at St. Davids airfield will be fully addressed in the environmental impact assessment which will be undertaken over the next few months.

NATO Eastern Boundary

14. Mr. Grocott : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has made any reassessment of the location of the eastern boundary in Europe which NATO is committed to defending.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : We support the wish of both German Governments that a unified Germany should be a member of the North Atlantic alliance, as this would contribute to stability and security in Europe. The implications for NATO are under consideration.

Conventional Forces in Europe

15. Mr. Martlew : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom forces have been offered for inclusion in the proposed CFE agreement ; and if he will make a statement on the defence implications.

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28. Mr. Mullin : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom forces have been offered for inclusion in the proposed CFE agreement ; and if he will make a statement on the defence implications.

59. Mr. David Young : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom forces have been offered for inclusion in the proposed CFE agreement ; and if he will make a statement on the defence implications.

Mr. Pike : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom forces have been offered for inclusion in the proposed CFE agreement ; and if he will make a statement on the defence implications.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : In accordance with the agreed mandate for the CFE negotiations, all the United Kingdom's conventional armaments and equipment of the types currently under discussion in Vienna that are within the area from the Atlantic to the Urals are included in the proposed CFE agreement.

Radiation

16. Dr. Moonie : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement upon the exposure to radiation of (a) submariners and (b) dockyard workers.

30. Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement upon the exposure to radiation of (a) submariners and (b) dockyard workers.

39. Mr. Doran : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement upon the exposure to radiation of (a) submariners and (b) dockyard workers.

Mr. Neubert : Exposure of Service personnel or MOD civilians to ionising radiation is authorised only on the basis that it is justified, complies with MOD and statutory limits and is as low as reasonably practicable. The same principles are followed by the civilian contractors at the royal dockyards.

Training (Canada)

17. Mr. Key : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last visited Canada to review training facilities for British service men.

Mr. Neubert : My right hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) visited the British Army training unit at Suffield, Alberta, in July last year.

Arms Exports

18. Mr. Cox : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department monitors the end use of United Kingdom-produced weapons exported to less developed countries.

114. Mr. Dunnachie : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department monitors the end use of United

Kingdom-produced weapons exported to less developed countries.

22. Mr. Ronnie Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department monitors the end use of United Kingdom-produced weapons exported to less-developed countries.

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58. Mr. Ray Powell : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department monitors the end use of United

Kingdom-produced weapons exported to less-developed countries.

Mr. Alan Clark : It is not usually necessary to monitor the stated end use of defence exports. Where, however, there is reason to do so, we do so.

Atomic Weapons Establishment

Mr. Tony Lloyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has received any tenders for the initial management contract at the atomic weapons establishment.

19. Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has received any tenders for the initial management contract at the atomic weapons establishment.

34. Mr. Bradley : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has received any tenders for the initial management contract at the atomic weapons establishment.

Mr. Neubert : An invitation to tender for the initial management contract at the atomic weapons establishment was issued on 6 April. Tenders should be received in June.

Nuclear Submarine Bases

20. Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what liaison his Department has with local authorities on special safety plans for areas adjoining Z-berths.

31. Mr. Norman Hogg : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what liaison his Department has with local authorities on special safety plans for areas adjoining Z-berths.

33. Ms. Walley : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what liaison his Department has with local authorities on special safety plans for areas adjoining Z-berths.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : It is MOD policy to undertake maximum consultation with all the relevant county, city and local councils and local emergency services in drawing up all Royal Navy public safety schemes.

Training Instructors

21. Mr. Ashley : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken to monitor the health and fitness of training instructors before and during exercises.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : Training instructors are subject to the same medical examinations as the service personnel whom they are expected to train, which is the PULHHEEMS system of medical classification.

Pipeline (Iraq)

23. Mr. McKelvey : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department took when it was first made aware of the pipeline equipment built in the United Kingdom for Iraq having possible military implications.

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52. Mr. Caborn : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department took when it was first made aware of the pipeline equipment built in the United Kingdom for Iraq having possible military implications.

66. Ms. Armstrong : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department took when it was first made aware of the pipeline equipment built in the United Kingdom for Iraq having possible military implications.

Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department took when it was first made aware of the pipeline equipment built in the United Kingdom for Iraq having possible military implications.

Mr. Alan Clark : In the light of the charges raised against certain individuals recently and in the light of continuing investigations by Customs and Excise, it would be inappropriate to give any further information.

Low Flying

24. Mr. Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has yet had an opportunity to consider the National Audit Office report on military low flying ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert : I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member on 6 March 1990 at column 616.

44. Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received concerning the disturbance caused by low flying ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert : Between 1 March 1990 and 30 April 1990 the Ministry of Defence received 955 inquiries or complaints about military low-flying training in the United Kingdom.

Army Manpower

26. Mr. Stern : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the overall manpower needs of the British Army in 1980, 1985 and 1990.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : The requirement of the British Army for trained, regular, United Kingdom personnel in 1980, 1985 and 1990 was 146,890, 143,888 and 142,742 respectively.

Forces (Europe)

27. Mr. Terry Fields : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the defence implications of current force levels in Europe.

29. Mr. Bill Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the defence implications of current force levels in Europe.

63. Mr. Roy Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the defence implications of current force levels in Europe.

Mrs. Mahon : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the defence implications of current force levels in Europe.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : We are examining options for change in the structure and deployment of our armed

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forces which will enable us to support and preserve the key elements of our defence provision in the light of changing international circumstances.

NATO Nuclear Planning Group

32. Mr. James Lamond : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decisions were made at the recent NATO nuclear planning group meeting in Alberta, Canada.

35. Mr. Lewis : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decisions were made at the recent NATO nuclear planning group meeting in Alberta, Canada.

38. Mr. Andrew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the NATO nuclear planning group meeting held at Kananaskis village, Alberta, Canada.

50. Ms. Ruddock : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the NATO nuclear planning group meeting held at Kananaskis village, Alberta, Canada.

53. Mr. Wareing : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decisions were made at the recent NATO nuclear planning group meeting in Alberta, Canada.

55. Mr. Buchan : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the NATO nuclear planning group meeting held at Kananaskis village, Alberta, Canada.

64. Mr. Corbyn : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the NATO nuclear planning group meeting held at Kananaskis village, Alberta, Canada.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : I refer the hon. Members to the answer that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Flannery).

Lance Missile

36. Mr. Frank Cook : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government will abandon their support for a replacement to the Lance short-range nuclear missile.

45. Mr. Steinberg : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government will abandon their support for a replacement to the Lance short-range nuclear missile.

Ms. Short : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Her Majesty's Government will abandon their support for a replacement to the Lance short-range nuclear missile.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Barnsley, East (Mr. Patchett).

Defence Procurement

37. Mr. Fatchett : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the five largest British defence companies providing defence equipment to the United Kingdom armed forces.

43. Mr. Eastham : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the five largest British defence companies providing defence equipment to the United Kingdom armed forces.

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Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the five largest British defence companies providing defence equipment to the United Kingdom armed forces.

Mr. Alan Clark : I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths).

Merchant Ships

40. Mr. Parry : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to use only British merchant ships for Ministry of Defence charters ; and if he will make a statement.

42. Mr. Clay : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to use only British merchant ships for Ministry of Defence charters ; and if he will make a statement.

60. Mr. Loyden : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to use only British merchant ships for Ministry of Defence charters ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert : I refer the hon. Members to the answer that I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Hemsworth (Mr. Buckley).

Over-the-Horizon Radar

41. Mr. Michael : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on his proposal for the siting of proposed over-the-horizon radar transmitters on the former St. David's airfield in Pembrokeshire ; and what progress has been made in his plans to inform and consult public opinion on the proposal.

Mr. Alan Clark : I recently visited St. David's, at the invitation of my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Bennett), to inspect the site of the proposed installation, explain the background to our proposals to my hon. Friend's constituents, and hear their initial representations at first hand.

The next step will be for the Ministry of Defence to commission a full environmental impact assessment in respect of this proposed installation. This will support a formal notice of proposed development which we plan to submit to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority later this year. Once we have submitted the notice of proposed development, we intend to give full public presentations of our proposals. I also understand that the national park authority will undertake wide consultation and invite representations on the notice of proposed development from all interested parties.

Type 23 Frigates

47. Mr. Jack Thompson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the present status of the command system for the type 23 frigate.

49. Mr. Turner : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the present status of the command system for the type 23 frigate.

Mr. Allen McKay : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the present status of the command system for the type 23 frigate.

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Mr. Neubert : I have nothing to add to the statement that I made on 18 April at column 938.

Trident

48. Mr. Fisher : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what amount of money could be saved by a decision to cancel the fourth Trident submarine in the near future.

56. Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what amount of money could be saved by a decision to cancel the fourth Trident submarine in the near future.

Mr. Madden : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what amount of money could be saved by a decision to cancel the fourth Trident submarine in the near future.

Mr. McAllion : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what amount of money could be saved by a decision to cancel the fourth Trident submarine in the near future.

Mr. Neubert : No contract has yet been placed. It is our estimate that savings in the order of £500 million would result if it were decided in the near future not to proceed with the planned order for the fourth Vanguard class submarines.

European Fighter Aircraft

57. Mr. Strang : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the European fighter aircraft nose radar development contract has been allocated ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 8 May at columns 33-34 .

Armed Forces (South Dorset)

61. Mr. Ian Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to increase the stationing of armed forces personnel in south Dorset.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : The exact number of service personnel stationed in south Dorset will fluctuate with the normal redeployment of units. There are, however, no current plans that would alter this number to any significant degree.

Unreliable Equipment

62. Mr. John Hughes : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the annual cost of maintaining unreliable defence equipment.

Mr. Skinner : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the annual cost of maintaining unreliable defence equipment.

Mr. David Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the annual cost of maintaining unreliable defence equipment.

Mr. Neubert : At a very broad estimate, unreliability adds £1 billion a year to the cost of maintaining the services' equipment.

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START Agreement

Mr. Watson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom forces have been offered for inclusion in the proposed START agreement ; and if he will make a statement on the defence implications.

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