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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 20 April 1995
ENVIRONMENT
Caravans
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will discuss with the Valuation Office reasons for the change in the basis for valuation of caravans; what representations he has received from caravan owners relating to this decision by the Valuation Office; and if he will make a statement. [18668]
Mr. Robert B. Jones: We have received many representations from caravan site operators and some from owners of individual caravans about the approach which has been adopted by the Valuation Office to the valuation of caravan parks for the purposes of the 1995 non-domestic rating revaluation. I understand that the agency is discussing the issues further with representatives of caravan site operators.
Wildlife Imports (Vietnam)
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on the importation of wildlife into the United Kingdom from Vietnam; and what steps he will take to stop the practice. [19828]
Sir Paul Beresford: My Department has received representations on the import into the United Kingdom of crab-eating monkeys from Vietnam. The UK and Vietnam are parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which regulates international trade in wildlife. Under CITES, crab-eating monkeys can be imported into the UK from Vietnam, provided certain strict conditions are met. However, no such imports have been authorised in recent years.
Mahogany
Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many metres of mahogany or products containing it his Department has bought in the last five years; and if he will list the purposes and the costs. [19842]
Sir Paul Beresford [holding answer 19 April 1995]: My Department does not keep central records of individual purchases. Its policy, set out in its environmental purchasing guide "Selling to DOE", is to purchase joinery, furniture, and fittings manufactured only from wood produced from sustainably managed forests.
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DEFENCE
RAF Logistics Command
Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about defence agency status for the logistics support services organisation of the Royal Air Force. [20451]
Mr. Soames: The Royal Air Force logistics support services organisation is part of Headquarters Logistics Command, and is responsible for providing a range of engineering and supply logistic support services to the Ministry of Defence, overseas Governments and the UK defence industry. It has been decided that the logistics support services organisation is to be considered for defence agency status under the next steps procedures. An entry to this effect will appear in the May 1995 edition of the market testing bulletin.
Mr. Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed rationalisation of Headquarters Logistics Command. [20481]
Mr Soames: As part of the "Front Line First" process, my Department has consulted thoroughly with trade unions and local authorities closely associated with RAF Logistics Command on the proposal to rationalise its headquarters' structure.
No issues have been raised which call into question the viability of the proposal and I have therefore decided that it should proceed as set out in the consultative document, which was issued on 19 January 1995. The effect of this rationalisation is the creation of some 400 civilian posts in the Headquarters Logistics Command at various levels.
The details of the new civilian posts involved are being issued to trade unions for further local consultation and discussion.
Defence Medical Services
Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about defence agency status for the Defence Medical Services' secondary care organisation. [20452]
Mr. Soames: Following my announcement in the House on 8 December, Official Report , columns 304 305 , in which I confirmed the recommendations made by the "Front Line First" medical study, it has been decided that the Defence Medical Services' secondary care organisation is to be considered as a candidate for agency status under the next steps procedures. An entry to this effect will appear in the May 1995 market testing bulletin and I should welcome comments from interested parties. These should be sent by 9 June to Mr. J. P. Green, head of the secondary care agency review team, Ministry of Defence, Room 118, Lacon house, Theobalds road, London WC1X 8RY.
Married Quarters
Mr. Sykes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made with the selection of financial advisers for the proposed transfer of his Department's married quarters estate to the private sector. [20482]
Mr. Soames: I am glad to announce that, following a competitive selection process, we have chosen NatWest Markets for this role.
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Occupational Health and Safety Agency
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the details of the methodology for transforming the Occupational Health Service into Trident Medical Services. [18915]
Mr. Horam: I have been asked to reply.
The Occupational Health and Safety Agency has not been transformed into Trident Medical Services. Previously the Occupational Health Service, it remains an executive agency of the Cabinet Office following a prior options review in 1994.
Trident Medical Services is a private sector provider of medical treatment.
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the suspension and subsequent resignation of the director of the civil service occupational health scheme at the Atomic Weapons Establishment; and if he will make a statement on the impact this has had on the formation of a successor company and the application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 to those employed by the scheme within the AWE as at 31 March.
Mr. Horam: I have been asked to reply.
The senior medical officer employed by the Occupational Health and Safety Agency was suspended from duty on 20 March pending investigation of matters which had that day come to light regarding the tendering process for the contract to provide occupational health services to Hunting-BRAE, trading as AWE plc. It appeared that he had become a director of the company awarded the contract. He resigned voluntarily and with immediate effect on 23 March before any formal investigations had taken place.
His resignation has no effect on the future of the OHSA. The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 apply to the transfer of relevant employees from OHSA to Trident Medical Services Ltd. This follows from AWE's decision to award the contract for provision of occupational health services to Trident.
Sundstrand Corporation
Mr. Colvin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds his Department has selected Sundstrand of Rockford Corporation Illinois to supply gas-powered turbine engines for Spearfish torpedoes; what was the nature of the competition for this programme; which United Kingdom contractors were invited to tender; what offset arrangements have been agreed; and if he will make a statement. [18705]
Mr. Freeman: The choice of Sundstrand as engine supplier was made by GEC-Marconi in 1981 as the designers of Spearfish. The only competitive alternative was also of US manufacture. The intention had been fully to compete the main production order of the torpedo, including the engine under licence, but the declining numbers required has meant this has not proved to be feasible. However, maximum competition at the subcontractor level was implemented instead. Some 25 per cent. in value of the engine was competed between three UK contenders and Microturbo of Fareham was successful.
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Trident
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maximum number of warheads which will be deployed on each Trident submarine; and when the decision was taken on this matter. [19329]
Mr. Soames: As announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in his speech to the Centre for Defence Studies at King's college, London on 16 November 1993, each Trident submarine will deploy with no more than 96 warheads and many will carry significantly fewer.
Radioactive Waste
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest assessment of the future costs of decontaminating and clean-up of military nuclear production and operational facilities, including radioactive waste management and disposal; and if he will commission a study along the lines of the United States Energy Department study, estimating the cold war mortgage of radioactive contamination arising from the United Kingdom nuclear weapons programme. [19317]
Mr. Soames: It has been the practice of successive Governments not to disclose details of planned spending associated with the defence nuclear programme. The importance and costs of radiological and other forms of decontamination are, however, fully recognised as part of future defence planning, and adequate funding will be made available. Studies already conducted or to be undertaken will continue to assist in refining the estimates of the costs of radioactive waste management and disposal.
HMS Repulse and HMS Renown
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the decommissioning date for (a) HMS Repulse and (b) HMS Renown. [19326]
Mr. Soames: It is not our practice to comment in detail on the strategic submarine ballistic nuclear operational programme.
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the reasons for HMS Renown being laid up at the Clyde submarine base, Faslane since June 1994. [19328]
Mr. Soames: HMS Renown returned to Faslane in June 1994 with a minor defect. It is not our practice to comment in detail on the material state of individual submarines.
WE177 Free-fall Bomb
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress made in the implementation of plans to withdraw from service by 2007 the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb. [19332]
Mr. Soames: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for City of Chester (Mr. Brandreth) on 4 April, Official Report, column 1097.
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Portland Naval base
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future sale of the Portland naval base. [19167]
Mr. Soames: My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence announced the sale of Portland naval base to Portland Port Ltd. on 6 April. Portland Port Ltd. is a Dorset-based company and we believe it offers the best long-term prospect for the local community and for reuse of the naval base.
Porton Down Volunteers' Children
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 March, Official Report, columns 77 78, what reports his Department has received of children of ex-Porton Down service volunteers being born with a disability; and if he will make a statement. [19272]
Mr. Soames: This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Mr. John Chisholm to Mr. Derek Fatchett, dated 18 April 1995:
1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what reports his Department has received of children of ex-Porton Down Service volunteers being born with a disability has been passed to me as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency to reply since this now includes the former Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment Agency.
2. The Ministry of Defence has received no reports of any children of ex- Porton Down Service volunteers being born with disabilities.
3. It is important to bear in mind that disabilities at birth occur in the general population and, whilst every such birth is regretted, there is no statistical evidence to indicate a higher level of birth defects in the children of Service families, including ex-Porton Down service volunteers, compared with the general population.
Decommissioned Ships
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current condition of HMS Kent, HMS Hermione and HMS Jupiter and the prospects for their sale; and if he will make a statement. [19304]
Mr. Freeman: HMS Kent, HMS Jupiter and HMS Hermione are at present lying decommissioned in Portsmouth naval base, preparatory to their future offer for sale to the commercial scrap market. Despite strenuous efforts by the Disposal Sales Agency, none of these ships has attracted an overseas buyer for further operational use. There does, however, appear to be a flourishing commercial market for scrap metal recovery.
Surplus Land
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names of the estate agents and consultants who have advised his Department on the sale of surplus land and buildings over the last five years. [19282]
Mr. Soames: Records of the names of the estate agents and consultants who have advised my Department on the sale of surplus land and buildings over the last five years are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
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Navy Staff
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian Navy personnel have lost jobs in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [19157]
Mr. Freeman: The number of UK-based civilian staff made redundant from the Navy department in each financial year since 1986 87, the earliest date for which records were kept centrally, is as follows: 1986 87: 1,129
1987 88: 321
1988 89: 311
1989 90: 400
1990 91: 251
1991 92: 213
1992 93: 249
1993 94: 587
1994 95: 635
up to end of February 1995
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on careers counselling for naval personnel who have lost their jobs in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [19159]
Mr. Soames: No separate record is kept of the cost of resettlement advice which has been given to naval personnel who left on redundancy.
Press and Public Relations
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson) of 31 March, Official Report , column 872 , if he will give the number and location of service personnel and civilians employed in press and public relations and public relations support posts overseas.
Mr. Freeman: The number of service personnel and civilians employed in press and public relations and public relations support posts overseas is 22. Posts are located in Belize, Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Germany and the former Yugoslavia.
Defence Export Services Organisation
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if staff on secondment to the Defence Export Services Organisation may simultaneously work for or offer consultancy services to companies in the private sector. [19436]
Mr. Freeman: Under the conditions of service issued on secondment no officer may:
(a) engage at any time in private activity which would require attendance during working hours or in any way impair his or her usefulness as public servant.
(b) engage in any occupation or undertaking which might in any way conflict with the interests of the Ministry of Defence or be inconsistent with his or her position as a public servant. It is a condition of the secondment that the secondee does not engage in any such activity, occupation or
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undertaking without the consent of the permanent secretary, MOD. Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the level of bonuses to be paid for the financial year 1994 95 to the (a) head, (b) offset adviser and (c) international finance adviser of the Defence Export Services Organisation. [19435]Mr. Freeman: On the position of the Head of the Defence Export Services Organisation, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 30 November 1994, Official Report , columns 777 78 . The offset adviser is on secondment to MOD and any bonus is a matter for his company and not for the department. The international finance adviser is on a fixed -term appointment as a civil servant and is eligible for the normal civil service performance-related pay arrangements. It is not the practice to comment on the pay of individual officers.
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 30 November 1994 to the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson), Official Report, column 778 , if he will name the current offset adviser and international finance adviser at the Defence Export Services Organisation; and if he will give (a) the companies from which they are seconded, (b) the duration of their contracts, (c) any bonuses to which they are entitled and (d) the number
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of hours per week they are contracted to work for the organisation. [19433]Mr. Freeman: The information requested is as follows:
Offset adviser: Mr. David Mitchell
Company: British Aerospace Defence Ltd.
Duration of contract: two years to October 1995
Bonuses: The responsibility of his Company
Hours per week: 41 hours including meal breaks
The post of international finance adviser, at present, is a fixed-term appointment as a civil servant and is not classed as a secondee.
IFA: Mr. Miles Faulkner
Previous company: Trafalgar house
Duration of contract: Two years extended by one year to March 1996
Bonuses: Eligible for normal civil service performance-related pay
Hours per week: Four days per week--32.8 hours
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 22 November 1994, Official Report , column 139 , if he will give the net cost of the Defence Export Services Organisation in each year from 1979 80 to 1992 93. [19432]
Mr. Freeman: Final outturn figures for the Defence Export Services Organisation for the years 1988 89 to 1992 93 are as stated below. Figures before 1988 89 are not readily available.
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£ million
|1988-89|1989-90|1990-91|1991-92|1992-93
------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Expenditure |9.97 |10.25 |11.57 |29.99 |31.87
Receipts by DESO |(22.20)|(26.24)|(29.20)|(18.94)|(19.98)
|(12.23)|(15.99)|(17.63)|11.05 |11.89
Notes:
1. The figures for 1988-89, 1989-90 and 1990-91 include Disposal
receipts for the Army, RAF and Navy. These receipts were
disaggregated to the appropriate areas from 1991 and no longer
fall to the DESO budget.
2. Brackets indicate receipts.
Competitive Tendering
Mrs. Ann Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many competitive tendering exercises carried out by his Department in each of the last two years were caught by the provisions of the public services directive but were not subsequently advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union in compliance with the relevant regulations. [19228]
Mr. Freeman: All requirements falling within the scope of the EU services directive where there is an obligation to advertise are customarily advertised in the prescribed manner in the supplement to the Official Journal of the European Communities. Records of exact numbers of advertisements are not kept.
Arms Sales, Sierra Leone
Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what exports of weapons there have been from Britain to Sierra Leone in the past five years. [18872]
Mr. Freeman: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Gapes), Official Report, column 501, on 28 November 1994.
Hunting
Mr. Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether armed forces personnel who hunt are liable for
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the costs of the support staff who drive the horseboxes and care for the horses; and what those costs are as a daily rate and in total for each year since 1991. [19539]Mr. Soames: Members of the armed forces who are permitted to hunt during duty time are not liable for the costs of military drivers and grooms as such costs arise irrespective of participation in hunting or any other form of training and are therefore not additional.
Mr. Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost of fuel used by the Household Cavalry in attending fox hunt meets that has been reimbursed to the Ministry of Defence for each year since 1991. [19537]
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