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Iraq (Industrial Establishments)

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the current activities of (a) the Al-Kindi research complex, (b) the Salah Al-Din state establishment, and (c) the Nassr state establishment in Iraq.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : All three facilities, which are monitored under UN Security Council resolutions, serve Iraq's military industry. The Al-Kindi research complex is a missile and artillery research and development facility, the Salah Al-Din state establishment manufactures electronic items and the Nassr state establishment is a major steel producer.

Reserve forces

Sir John Hunt : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to encourage employers to allow reservists to take necessary leave of absence to follow their duties.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : It is my Department's policy to encourage employers to support membership of the volunteer reserve forces by their employees including the taking of the necessary leave. The National Employers Liaison Committee runs a very successful national campaign aimed primarily at employers, which is supported by regional and local initiatives by the Territorial Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations. Over 3,000 employing organisations have received certificates acknowledging the support they have pledged.

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Stand-off Missile

Mr. Menzies Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to issue the cardinal points specification for the conventionally armed stand-off missile ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Aitken : We expect to issue the cardinal points specification (CPS) for the conventionally armed stand-off weapon later this year. The CPS is being prepared in the light of responses to the Department's request for information, which was issued to industry in August 1991. It is our intention that the selected option should be one that minimises the additional development needed to meet the requirements of the RAF.

Chieftain Tanks

Mr. Menzies Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Chieftain tanks are to be sold by his Department to Pakistan ; and what modifications will be made to them before they are sold.

Mr. Aitken : Discussions with the Pakistani Government on the possible sale of a number of upgraded Chieftain tanks are at an early stage.

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Self-propelled Gun

Mr. Menzies Campbell : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects delivery of the 155 mm AS90 self-propelled gun to commence ; and when it will be completed.

Mr. Aitken : The first delivery took place on 4 February 1993. Deliveries are expected to be completed in mid-1995.

Options for Change"

Mr. Ian Bruce : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 16 February, Official Report, column 122, on which subhead of the defence estimates the special capital compensation payments made in respect of "Options for Change" are included.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : For financial year 1992-93 provision for the special capital compensation payments to armed forces personnel is made in class I, vote 3, subheads A1, A2 and A3. For financial years 1993-94 and 1994-95, following the reorganisation of class I votes, provision for such payments will be made in class I, vote1, subheads G2, I2 and J2.

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