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Mr. Mohammed Gham Ghani
Mr. Madden : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he is going to make a recommendation in the case (Ref : CON/4028) of Shenaz Begum, Afsar Khan and Shaira Begum, the children of Mr. Mohammed Gham Ghani, referred to his Department by the post in Islamabad on 2 March ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd : The immigration service interviewed Mr. Mohammed Ghani on 18 April. When a copy of the interview notes is received from them, the passport applications made to the British High Commission at Islamabad on behalf of Mr. Ghani's three children, will be considered again.
I will write to the hon. Member as soon as a decision has been made on this case.
Nuclear Energy
106. Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response Her Majesty's Government have made to the Commission's work programme 1993-94, SEC(93)58 Final published on 26 January ; and what is his policy towards the proposal to change the scope of Euratom safeguards included in the programme.
Mr. Eggar : I have been asked to reply.
The contents of the Commission work programme have been received and noted. There has been no official response by Her Majesty's Government but the work programme and an explanatory memorandum have been deposited in Parliament.
There is no direct reference in the work programme to Euratom safeguards.
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations with non-governmental organisations the United Kingdom Government have been required or recommended to make prior to making submissions to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights concerning article II of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ; and which non- governmental organisations have been consulted prior to submissions being made.
Mr. Charles Wardle [holding answer 20 April 1993] : I have been asked to reply.
While there is no formal obligation to consult, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has welcomed contributions by non-governmental groups in the preparation of reports under the covenant.
I will write to the hon. Member about the second part of his question once necessary consultations with a number of other Government Departments is completed.
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DEFENCE
Malaysia (Arms Contract)
Mr. Spellar : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Minister signed the 1986 agreement with the Malaysian Government in respect of an arms contract ; who signed on behalf of the Malaysian Government ; what was the original estimated value of this contract ; and what has been the delivered value of goods to date.
Mr. Aitken : I am not aware of any such agreement signed in 1986. My right hon. and noble Friend the former Prime Minister and the Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir signed a memorandum of understanding in September 1988 under which the Malaysian Government agreed to purchase various military equipments from the United Kingdom. The terms of the MOU cannot be released from reasons of commercial confidentiality, but since the signature of the MOU the Malaysian Government and British industry have signed a number of contracts whose total value exceed £16 billion.
Civil Aircraft Notifications
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many notifications were made under the civil aircraft notification procedure in (a) 1991 and (b) 1992.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The number of notifications made under the civil aircraft notification procedure in 1991 and 1992 is as follows :
Year |Number --------------------- 1991 |139 1992 |535
The increase between 1991 and 1992 follows the raising of the height for notification of aerial activity under this procedure from 500 to 1,000 ft.
Low Flying
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints about low flying were received in each month since June 1991 from addresses in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) England.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The numbers of inquiries or complaints relating to military low flying training which my Department received over the period June 1991 to March 1993 from addresses in Wales, Scotland and England were as follows :
Month |Wales |Scotland|England
----------------------------------------------
1991
June |95 |52 |274
July |159 |62 |605
August |101 |100 |644
September |97 |99 |374
October |79 |43 |295
November |51 |77 |223
December |25 |45 |108
1992
January |32 |52 |126
February |60 |108 |203
March |43 |104 |275
April |66 |66 |275
May |145 |90 |661
June |123 |96 |668
July |117 |154 |610
August |97 |91 |372
September |67 |77 |327
October |99 |92 |391
November |35 |34 |315
December |20 |26 |178
1993
January |23 |38 |168
February |27 |104 |167
March |48 |106 |347
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints were received about low-flying aircraft in (a) 1991 and (b) 1992 in (i) England (ii) Wales and (iii) Scotland ; and what proportion of such complaints related to (1) fast jets, (2) light jet trainers, (3) heavy propeller-driven aircraft, (4) light propeller-driven aircraft and (5) helicopters.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The numbers of inquiries or complaints relating to military low flying training received in 1991 and 1992 from England, Scotland and Wales were as follows :
Number of
complaints
|1991 |1992
---------------------------
England |3,412|4,401
Scotland |791 |990
Wales |643 |904
Information on the proportion of complaints by categories of aircraft could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the military low-level training sorties flown over the United Kingdon in each year since 1987 took place wholly or partly between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The information requested is not available. Central records of night low flying do not separately distinguish flying between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am. The aim is to complete low flying training before 11 pm wherever possible because it is recognised that aircraft noise can be particularly intrusive at night and only the minimum necessary of such activity is authorised.
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) bird sanctuaries, (b) wildlife breeding sites and (c) nature reserves which are the subject of seasonal or permanent low-flying avoidance arrangements in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : It remains our policy not to release detailed information on the United Kingdom military low-flying system. Fifty-seven sanctuaries, wildlife breeding sites and nature reserves are, however, thee will publish the results of exercises held by the Royal
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Air Force since 1985 to measure the perceived noise on the ground, generated by overflying low-level military jet aircraft.Mr. Archie Hamilton : A copy of the report "Noise levels of military aircraft at low altitude : Exercise Luce Belle" is available in the Library of the House.
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low- flying sorties were carried out over (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland during (i) 1991 and (ii) 1992.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The information requested is not available. A typical low-level sortie covers some 300 to 500 miles and commonly covers more than one of the areas mentioned. Fixed-wing low flying training is not currently undertaken in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a monthly breakdown of the figures for low-level military training sorties over the United Kingdom since 1987.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The information requested is as follows :
Year and month |Sorties
---------------------------------------------
1987
January |8,822
February |12,527
March |12,515
April |13,006
May |14,364
June |13,787
July |14,071
August |11,959
September |12,954
October |11,950
November |12,892
December |8,814
|-------
Total |147,661
1988
January |11,179
February |14,279
March |15,494
April |11,733
May |12,990
June |14,220
July |12,653
August |13,182
September |11,459
October |11,589
November |13,105
December |9,408
|-------
Total |151,291
1989
January |13,168
February |11,702
March |11,816
April |12,398
May |14,299
June |15,641
July |14,282
August |11,279
September |9,376
October |12,682
November |11,462
December |6,218
|-------
Total |144,323
1990
January |11,263
February |10,152
March |16,362
April |10,871
May |13,329
June |11,709
July |13,704
August |11,309
September |11,361
October |13,166
November |11,834
December |6,330
|-------
Total |141,390
1991
January |8,990
February |7,471
March |10,814
April |12,300
May |12,556
June |11,662
July |12,971
August |10,676
September |11,229
October |11,097
November |11,226
December |6,408
|-------
Total |127,400
1992
January |9,628
February |12,691
March |13,176
April |10,575
May |12,276
June |12,105
July |13,105
August |10,003
September |11,291
October |11,058
November |9,684
December |5,872
|-------
Total |131,464
1993
January |9,024
February |10,121
March |13,009
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations of Skyguard radars within the United Kingdom which are currently utilised to monitor low-flying activity.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The Skyguard radar system used to monitor low flying activity within the United Kingdom is based at RAF Waddington. The radars are mobile and are deployed to various locations around the country to monitor low flying.
Bosnia
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which armoured vehicles currently deployed in Bosnia are to be replaced by vehicles from Germany, and why ; at what cost ; how they are to be transported ; and if he will make a statement.
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Mr. Archie Hamilton : The first battalion of the Prince of Wales Own Regiment are taking their own Warrior armoured vehicles with them and the first battalion of the Cheshire Regiment will return with their Warriors to Germany. The vehicles will be transported by ship. The cost of changing the vehicles is estimated at £300,000. The changeover is being done in order to spread the high mileage and very significant wear arising from operations in Bosnia across the fleet as a whole, thereby maintaining the best engineering management and reducing overall long-term costs to a minimum.
Tornados
Mr. Home Robertson : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 April, Official Report, column 242, if he will categorise by rank and specialisation the 227 ground personnel deployed with the six Tornados and two VC-10s to enforce the no-fly zone.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The 227 ground personnel were in support of the Tornados at Gioia del Colle ; in addition there were 41 ground personnel deployed in support of the VC10 tankers at Sigonella. The 268 personnel are categorised as follows :
|Officers |Senior NCOs|Airmen |Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations Support |7 |2 |2 |11
Engineering and
Supply |6 |55 |152 |213
Administrative and
catering |5 |7 |32 |44
|------- |------- |------- |-------
Total |18 |64 |186 |268
Drug Tests (Armed Forces)
Mr. Hutton : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to introduce random drug tests for members of the armed forces ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The armed forces employ a range of measures to combat drug abuse. These measures are kept under review and the introduction of compulsory drug testing is an option we are considering.
Hunting
Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on whose authority licences are issued to hunt on Ministry of Defence land ; and how the terms and conditions of the licences are drawn up.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : Licences are issued under the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence. The licences are different for each hunt to take into account the special needs of the host establishment.
Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Surrey Union hunt was first issued with a licence to hunt on Ministry of Defence land. Mr. Archie Hamilton : On 7 October 1991.
Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Army personnel were permitted to participate in cub hunting in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
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Mr. Archie Hamilton : Army personnel from mounted units, and those involved in their training, are permitted to take part in a range of equestrian training activities, including cub hunting.
Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the terms and conditions of hunt licences permit any hunt to block up badger setts or permit the digging out of foxes on Ministry of Defence land ;
(2) if he will make it his policy to include in any licences for hunting on Ministry of Defence land a requirement that the rules set out in the rules of the Masters of Foxhounds Association be adhered to.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which hunts currently have a licence to hunt on Ministry of Defence land and in which areas ; and when these licences are due for renewal.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The licences to hunt issued by my Department are due for renewal at various times. The hunts which had licences for the 1992-93 season were :
Brecon Farmers Hunt--Sennybridge Training Area
Sennybridge Farmers Hunt--Sennybridge Training Area
Irfon and Towey Hunt--Sennybridge Training Area
Glyn Celyn Beagles--Sennybridge Training Area
Blankney Hunt--Fulbeck and Beckingham Training Area
Surrey Union Hunt--Aldershot Military lands and Surrey Commons Training Area
West Shropshire Hunt--Nesscliffe Training Area
North Shropshire Hunt--Nesscliffe Training Area
Avon Vale Hunt--Salisbury Plain Training Area
South and West Wiltshire Hunt--Salisbury Plain Training Area Royal Artillery Hunt--Salisbury Plain Training Area
Beaucaster Hunt--Spadeadam
Border Hunt--Otterburn Training Area
West Percy Hunt--Otterburn Training Area
Tynedale Hunt--Ouston Nr. Newcastle
Bedale Hunt--Catterick Training Area
Zetland Hunt--Feldom Training Area
Wensleydale Hunt--Catterick Training Area
West of York Hunt--Ellerton Banks
Catterick Beagles--Catterick Training Area
Newcastle Beagles--Otterburn Training Area
Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all those fox hunts with which Ministry of Defence personnal are permitted to hunt in duty hours.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : Personnel who are permitted to take part in fox hunting during duty hours may do so with any fox hunt in the country if they have the permission of the hunt secretary.
Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the Queens Royal Irish Hussars have participated in fox hunting ; and with which hunts, in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the cost of the licenses held by the HMS Heron sporting gun club were last increased ; by what percentage ; and for how many years the licenses have been held.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : HMS Heron sporting gun club has held a licence to shoot at Merryfield airfield since 1974 and at Langport range since 1986. The licences were last reviewed in 1991 and there was no increase in the charges.
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Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to restrict the involvement of armed forces personnel in fox hunting during duty hours.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : Personnel from mounted units, and those involved in their training, are permitted to take part in fox hunting in duty hours at the commanding officer's discretion when it is not to the detriment of any other military task. Other personnel are not normally permitted to hunt during duty hours. No further restrictions are planned.
Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any charge is made for Army personnel to use Army horses and equipment to hunt in off-duty hours ; and on how many occasions Army personnel from non- mounted units have been permitted to hunt in duty hours in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : Army personnel from mounted units, and those involved in their training, are not permitted to use Army horses or equipment to hunt in off-duty hours. Army personnel from non-mounted units are required to pay for the hire of Army horses to hunt in off-duty hours. They would normally provide their own equipment. Figures showing the number of occasions on which Army personnel from non-mounted units have been permitted to hunt in duty hours in 1991, 1992, and 1993 could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether cub hunting is permitted on Ministry of Defence land.
Shooting Rights
Mr. Meale : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 29 March, Official Report, column 14, whether the Bulford and Tidworth garrison shoot is permitted to sell shooting days ; and if he will make a statement.
Flying Training
Mr. Llwyd : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage decrease or increase in the provision for Royal Air Force flying training activity in 1991-92 over 1990-91 ; and what changes in provision are being implemented this year.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The tasked flying hours for 1991-92 showed a decrease of 3 per cent. over 1990-91. Tasked flying hours for 1993-94 are yet to be finalised.
Listed Buildings
Mr. Martlew : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the listed buildings currently owned by his Ministry ; which he intends to sell ; how many have been sold in each of the last five years ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The following properties are currently for sale : Inverary pier, Faslane ; Royal Marine
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barracks, Eastney ; 28A Colliergate drill hall, York ; former officers' mess, Maidstone ; Forthside house, Stirling ; Penisula barracks, Winchester and Bawdsey manor.In addition, we are disposing of Royal William yard and Mount Batten tower in Plymouth which will be transferred to the Plymouth urban development corporation and Paterchurch tower, Pembroke dock which will be transferred to Pembrokeshire district council. Other listed buildings have been indentified as possibilities for sale but have not yet been placed on the market. We intend, however, to review systematically all our historic buildings to determine which should be retained by the Ministry of Defence, in their current or alternative use, and which should be disposed of expeditiously to ensure their preservation by finding a suitable alternative use. Information on sales in the last five years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
British Hydrographic Service
Mr. Nicholas Winterton : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the work of the British Hydrographic Service.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The United Kingdom Hydrographic Service is made up of four elements : the Ministry of Defence Hydrographic Department, which is responsible for operational policy on surveying and for planning defence and civil surveys ; the Royal Navy Hydrographic Surveying Squadron, which conducts United Kingdom defence surveys and part of the civil survey task ; the Ministry of Defence Hydrographic Office Defence Agency, which is responsible for the production of the British Admiralty charts and publications and other professional services to the Ministry of Defence ; and the Royal Navy Hydrographic School, where Royal Navy and Foreign and Commonwealth students are given courses accredited by the International Hydrographic Organisation.
The detailed work of all these elements is summarised in the annual report of the Hydrographer of the Navy, which is laid before Parliament and copies of which are placed in the Library.
Mr. Nicholas Winterton : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current and projected future cost of the British Hydrographic Service ; and what is the current and proposed future establishment of the service.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Nicholas Winterton : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a breakdown by size and category of the number of vessels currently operated by the British Hydrographic Service.
Mr. Archie Hamilton : The Hydrographic Survey Squadron currently consists of two ocean survey vessels of some 2,500 tonnes ; three coastal survey vessels of between 1,400 and 1,100 tonnes ; and one inshore survey craft of some 20 tonnes. In addition, the Hydrographic Survey Squadron operates two chartered vessels to undertake civil hydrographic surveys.
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