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Mr. Soames: The figures cited are for the total number of Untied Kingdom nuclear weapons, excluding only any awaiting final dismantlement.
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to his oral answer of 28 March, Official Report, columns 817 18, if he will specify on which year in the 1970s his figures for nuclear warhead capacity are based. [19334]
Mr. Soames: The figures are based on the point in the mid-1970s when United Kingdom nuclear force plans authorised in the 1960s were fully implemented.
Sub-strategic Nuclear Role
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Trident is expected to take up a sub-strategic nuclear role; and if he will make a statement. [19330]
Mr. Soames: I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the City of Chester (Mr. Brandreth) on 4 April, Official Report, column 1097.
Hunting Licences
Mr. Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which hunts currently have a licence to hunt on Ministry of Defence land; and to which areas of land those licences apply. [18966]
Mr. Soames: The following hunts have been issued with licences by my Department for the 1994 95 hunting season in the areas shown:
Hunt |Area ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The North Shropshire Hunt |Nesscliffe training area The West Shropshire Hunt |Nesscliffe training area The Tanatside Hunt |Nesscliffe training area The Border Hunt |Otterburn training area The West Percy Hunt |Otterburn training area The Newcastle and District Beagles |Otterburn training area The Tynedale Hunt |Albemarle barracks The Bedale Hunt |Dry training area, Catterick The West of Yore Hunt |Dry training area, Catterick The Wensleydale Hunt |Bellerby, Catterick training area The Zetland Hunt |Feldom training area The Catterick Beagles |All parts of Catterick training area The Blankey Hunt |Fulbeck and Beckingham training area The Staff College and Royal Military |North East Hampshire and North Academy Drag Hunt |West Surrey training area The Windsor Forest Hunt |Aldershot Military lands and Surrey Commons training area The Surrey Union Hunt |Aldershot Military lands and Surrey Commons training area The Brecon Farmer's Hunt |Sennybridge Army Field training area The Sennybridge Farmer's Hunt |Sennybridge Army Field training area The Irfon and Towey Hunt |Sennybridge Army Field training area The Glyn Celyn Beagles |Sennybridge Army Field training area The Avon Vale Hunt |Salisbury Plain training area (West) The Royal Artillery Hunt |Salisbury Plain training area (West) The South and West Wiltshire Hunt |Salisbury Plain training area (West)
Job Losses
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many naval (a) engineers, (b) nursing officers, (c) aircraft controllers, (d) accountants, (e) metallurgists, (f) architects and (g) clerical staff have lost their jobs in the last five years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [19160]
Mr. Soames: Although information is not available in the precise form requested, the number of Royal Naval and Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service personnel who were made redundant between 1 April 1990 and 31 December 1994 is as follows:
Engineer officers and ratings in the engineering branch of the Royal Navy (including metallurgists)--2,621
Supply and secretariat officers and ratings in the writer branch (which will include accountants and clerical staff) in the Royal Navy--236
Nursing officers and rating aircraft controllers in the QARNNS and Royal Navy--0
Redundant Naval Personnel
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision is made for re-training those Navy personnel who have lost their jobs; and if he will make a statement. [19158]
Mr. Soames: Naval personnel who leave the service on redundancy are eligible for resettlement training and advice to help them prepare for, and find suitable employment in, civilian life. Typically, this includes: an interview to assess experience and qualifications, and consider future employment and training options; up to four week's pre-release training or individual resettlement preparation either at a tri-service resettlement centre or civilian college or university, or an attachment with a prospective employer; and a wide range of career and personal counselling. The individual may also register with the services' employment network which provides a computer-based job-matching service.
We believe that resettlement services for members of the Royal Navy are comprehensive and effective and note that the independent review by Mr. Bett has made some
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recommendations in this area which will be studied carefully.Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of those naval personnel who have lost their jobs in the last five years have subsequently gained employment outside the service; what steps his Department takes to monitor the extent to which staff are re-employed elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [19161]
Mr. Soames: Although information is not held in the form requested, tri-service surveys show that 80 per cent. of ex-service personnel are either in employment or retraining within three months of discharge.
Surveys are conducted to evaluate the success of tri-service resettlement provision. These surveys include questions about employment gained. In addition, the Royal Navy has conducted its own study into attitudes and experiences of those who have recently left the service. More detailed and longer-term monitoring of leavers in all three service is being introduced.
Indonesian Students
Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many students from Indonesia have visited the United Kingdom to receive training at United Kingdom military establishments in each year since 1990. [19745]
Mr. Soames: Although the UK has provided training for Indonesian students since 1990, details--including the numbers involved--are not normally disclosed as they are regarded as confidential between Governments.
NATO Officers
Mr. William Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest assessment of the number of serving officers holding (a) five star, (b) four star, (c) three star, (d) two star and (e) one star rank for each of the NATO countries, together with his estimate of the total current serving personnel. [20273]
Mr. Soames: The information requested is not held in my Department.
Mr. Jonathan Moyle
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons a thesis on Soviet conventional air attack on the United Kingdom, written by Jonathan Moyle while studying at the department of international politics, university of Aberystwyth, remains classified information; whether a shortened version of this thesis is declassified; if he will specify the past involvement between his Department and Mr. Moyle; what information his Department has received concerning the events surrounding Mr. Moyle's death in 1990; and if he will make a statement. [19980]
Mr. Soames: There is only one version of the thesis and it is not classified. While conducting research for this thesis, Mr. Moyle had access to largely historical MOD material appropriate to the subject of his research. Mr. Moyle served in the RAF as a commissioned officer from August 1980 to April 1988, after which his connection with this Department ceased. it is for the Chilean authorities to investigate the circumstances of Mr. Moyle's death. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has co-operated with them fully from the outset.
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Gulf War Syndrome
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussion his Department has had with its American counterparts concerning experiments conducted by the Pentagon and toxicology experts at the Duke university medical centre in America concerning the results of experiments carried out into alleged Gulf war syndrome. [19978]
Mr. Soames: My Department is aware of media reports of research undertaken by the Pentagon and Duke university, North Carolina, and has requested further information from the American authorities.
HMS Vigilant
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors have led to the decision to delay the entry into service of HMS Vigilant until 1997. [19327]
Mr. Freeman: The planned in service date of Vigilant has for some years been 1998. She remains on course to achieve that date.
AS90 Howitzers
Sir Nicholas Bonsor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects AS90 howitzers to be refitted with a 52 calibre gun barrel; what difficulties have been encountered in trials with existing L17 practice rounds; what plans he has for procuring extended range ordnance for rebarrelled AS90 howitzers; and if he will make a statement. [18793]
Mr. Freeman: We expect to issue shortly an invitation to tender to Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. for the development and production of a 52 calibre ordnance for AS90. On current plans, this will lead to the first howitzers being covered to extended range ordnance before the end of the decade. Trials with a prototype 52 calibre barrel firing inert L17 rounds have resulted in some cases of "engraving" of the projectile when it has been fired at the maximum range. This is being addressed as part of the risk reduction work already in hand by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and industry.
Surplus Equipment
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 March, Official Report , column 504 , if he will give (a) the original cost of items listed as held for two years, (b) the date when they were commissioned and (c) an estimate of their current value. [19283]
Mr. Freeman: Further to my answer to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central, of 27 March 1995, Official Report , column 504 , HMS Kent, a County class destroyer, was commissioned on 15 August 1963 and was last refitted more than 10 years ago prior to the Dockyard privatisation. The original cost was £16 million.
HMS Jupiter and HMS Hermione, Leander class frigates, were commissioned on 9 August and 11 July 1969 respectively and were last refitted during 1986 87. Their original cost was £7 million each. The 120 mm Wombat anti- tank guns came into service in 1962. The 105 mm pack howitzers entered service in 1961 62. Records of the original cost of these two weapons, which are no longer in service, are not available.
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The Spey engine entered service with the RAF in June 1965 in the Phantom aircraft. The original cost of the engines were part of the all-up price for the aircraft and are not separately identifiable. Most, if not all, of the equipment listed, will shortly appear on the commercial market. It would not be appropriate to reveal likely expectations of sales prices.Defence Export Services Organisation
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 , columns 777 78 , how many hours per week Mr. Charles Masefield is contracted to work for the Defence Export Services Organisation. [19434]
Mr. Freeman: Mr. Charles Masefield's conditioned hours of work are 41 hours per week, for a five-day week, in accordance with the general conditions laid down for non-industrial civil servants. However, in order for Mr. Masefield to fulfil his role as Head of Defence Export Services he has, in practice, to work far in excess of these hours.
Land Mines
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ranger anti-personnel mines his Department possesses; when they were purchased; who they were purchased from; what was the total cost of the order; when they will need to be replaced; and if he will make a statement. [19983]
Mr. Freeman: The stocks my Department possesses were purchased from Thorn EMI Electronics Ltd., between 1970 and 1983, but we no longer retain a record of their cost. The quantity of Ranger anti-personnel mines, held by my Department is classified. No decisions have been taken on replacements.
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will establish (a) an engineering study and (b) a cost analysis study of the feasibility of fitting self-destruct mechanisms to his Department's anti-personnel mines. [19984]
Mr. Freeman: An engineering and costs analysis study of fitting self -destruct mechanisms to existing mines will take place when my Department next considers its future requirements and the most cost-effective way of meeting those requirements.
Departmental Travel
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the privatisation of his Department's travel business; and if he will make a statement. [20061]
Mr. Freeman: The majority of MOD travel business is currently booked through the joint service travel centre which arranges flight bookings for MOD service and civilian personnel, their dependants and MOD contractors. Additionally, it arranges travel bookings by rail, ferry and through the channel tunnel.
The JSTC has been subject to review on a number of occasions by independent consultancies which have compared the service it provides with those available in the commercial market place. It is currently being examined as a part of the wider defence costs study. This
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review is being undertaken by a firm of independent consultants and their remit, which is wide ranging, and encompasses not only air travel but the provision of support services such as car hire, hotel bookings and the procurement of visas and passports. Until the study has been completed, and its findings analysed it would be premature of me to speculate on the suitability of further privatisation measures in the future.Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made to his Department's travel business in the last five years. [20062]
Mr. Freeman: The increased commitment by HMG to UN and out-of-area operations, such as the former republics of Yugoslavia and more recently Angola have placed heavy and persistent tasking levels on the RAF's fleet of transport aircraft. This pressure has resulted in my Department using commercial airlines for non operational airlift. This change of emphasis over recent years has resulted in the development of a sophisticated and cost-effective management approach in the commercial sector.
The Ministry of Defence has sought to reduce the cost of travel by taking advantage of commercial services for routine trooping purposes and have recently concluded negotiations with commercial airlines on a variety of routes; including the far east, northern Europe and the north Atlantic. An example is the trooping requirement between the UK and Germany where because of the distances involved and the frequency of service small to medium-size civil airliners provide the most cost-effective solution, thereby releasing the larger ATF aircraft--Tristars and VC10s--to meet long -range or operational tasks. Use of commercial assets is also made for the movement of freight by road. This is achieved through the use of an enabling contract with a major freight carrier which also includes a requirement to support surges in movements arising from operational activity. A further change has arisen through the placing of contracts with self drive car hire companies, the use of which is funded by individual budget holders within the department. The use of this service continues to increase as budget holders seek the most cost-effective means of meeting their travel requirements.
Arms Sales (Taiwan)
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy concerning the export of arms to Taiwan; and what changes there have been in arms export policy to Taiwan in the last five years. [19981]
Mr. Freeman: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad), on 4 April 1995, Official Report, column 981.
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the implications for regional security tensions if Britain exported arms to Taiwan. [19982]
Mr. Freeman: Pursuant to the answer given on 4 April 1995 by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad), Official Report, column
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981, the implications for regional security tensions of the supply of defence-related equipment and technology to Taiwan are considered case by case.Upholder Submarines
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Upholder submarines his Department has provided to Canada on extended loan; which submarines are on loan; what are the conditions of the loan; how much his Department is receiving from the Canadian Government; when the submarines first come into operational use with the Royal Navy; what was the total cost of each submarine; and for how long the submarines will be on loan. [19979]
Mr. Freeman: Since the MOD's decision in 1992 93, announced in Command 2270, to withdraw the four Upholder class submarines from RN service we have offered them for sale or lease to friendly or allied countries. We are in discussion with the Canadian Department of National Defence but no decisions have been taken.
The submarines of the Upholder class entered operational RN service as follows:
Submarine |Commissioning date --------------------------------------------------------- HMS Upholder |December 1990 HMS Unseen |July 1991 HMS Ursula |June 1992 HMS Unicorn |July 1993
The cost of the Upholder programme at 1993 prices is assessed at approximately £900 million.
Royal Dockyards
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total amount spent to date for management consultants working on his Department's privatisation plans for the royal dockyards at (a) Rosyth and (b) Devonport; when he expects to make an announcement concerning the privatisation of the dockyards; what consideration he has given to the future pension provisions of the workers currently employed at the two sites; and if he will make a statement. [19977]
Mr. Freeman: During the period between 18 October 1993, when my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced our policy towards the future management of the royal dockyards, Official Report , 18 October 1993, columns 39 41 , and 28 March 1995, payments made or outstanding specifically for management consultancy advice given in relation to the proposed privatisation of the dockyards totalled some £3.1 million. Costs attributable to one dockyard or the other cannot be separately identified. Further announcements on the future management of the royal dockyards will be made as and when appropriate, but it is likely to be some months before any final decisions are taken. Full account will be taken of all relevant personnel issues, including those relating to the management and operation of the established dockyard company pension schemes, and consultation will take place as appropriate.
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Phoenix Project
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is currently taking to test Israeli unmanned surveillance aircraft as an alternative to the Phoenix project. [20060]
Mr. Freeman: [Pursuant to his reply, 5 April 1995, Official Report, c. 1142]: , the Ministry of Defence has now agreed with GEC- Marconi Avionics an additional programme of work on Phoenix to resolve the remaining technical difficulties and to demonstrate satisfactory system performance. This work is expected to last about one year and, while it is in progress, we will examine potential alternative systems, in case it does not prove practicable to bring Phoenix up to an acceptable standard. Our examination of alternatives has already begun and will cover all systems, including Israeli ones, which are likely to provide a capability that comes reasonably close to the Army's requirement.
HEALTH
Temazepam
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her latest estimate of the number of units of temazepam which are sold in the United Kingdom each year from known manufacturers and suppliers; what is her latest estimate of the number of units of temazepam required for prescription under the national health service during the same period; and if she will make a statement. [19006]
Mr. Bowis: Information on the total quantity of temazepam manufactured, held in stock, imported and exported in the United Kingdom is shown in table A. Information on total quantities dispensed in family health services authorities in England is shown in table B.
Table A: Summary of the 1993 annual returns for temazepam from
Schedule 4 Authority holders under the Misuse of Drugs
Regulations 1985 in the UK (kilograms)
Quantity |Manufacturers'|Imports total |Exports total
manufactured |stocks at 31
|December
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
970.200 |923.039 |4,505.314 |1,815.770
L
Table B:
Temazepam dispensing in the family health services authorities in
England 1993 (thousands).
|Prescription items|Milligrams
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tablets |2,765.3 |1,307,399.5
Capsules |3,765.9 |2,066,427.8
Oral preparations |119.8 |60,665.5
Total |6,650.9 |3,434,493.7
Total dispensing in the English FHSAs was therefore 3,434.5 Kilograms.
Research and Treatment Ratings
Mrs. Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what rating London has for treatment and research in each of the last five years, relative to comparable centres in other countries. [19703]
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Mr. Malone: Ratings of treatment and research are not undertaken annually in London or in other towns and cities elsewhere in the country. The most recent research review in London, 1993, confined itself to the work of the former postgraduate special health authorities. No formal ratings were issued as a result of that exercise but the report referred to the international quality of much of the research undertaken by these SHAs. A copy of the report is in the Library.
Cancer Services
Mr. Congdon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to improve the provision of cancer care services. [10671]
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley: I have received the final report from the chief medical officers' of England and Wales expert advisory group on cancer "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" which sets out a strategic framework for cancer services. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.
I have accepted the recommendations in that report.
They will provide the catalyst for change. They will, over time, build upon the excellent services already provided in many areas to ensure the delivery of a uniformly high level of cancer care based on a network of expertise covering primary care and secondary care, including the establishment of designated specialist cancer units and cancer centres.
I look to the national health service to make determined progress in this direction, and welcome the fact that many health authorities are already beginning to plan their cancer services around these recommendations.
Sir John Gorst: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for changes in the cancer treatment services in London; with whom she has consulted on this subject; what proposals exist (a) for alterations to the present functioning of the Royal Marsden hospital and (b) its closure; and which matters relating to cancer treatment in the London region are to be the subject of public consultation. [19942]
Mr. Malone: Proposals for any major changes in the pattern of cancer services in London and for the necessary public consultation are drawn up by local health authorities in discussion with provider units. There are no proposals for changes, or for closures, at the Royal Marsden hospital.
Waiting Times
Mrs. Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 28 March, Official Report , column 569 , how many patients were waiting for treatment under one year in 1987 and at December 1994. [19810]
Mr. Malone: The information is shown in the table.
Patients waiting for inpatient or day case treatment
|Number waiting |Total number |Proportion waiting
|under a year |awaiting admission|under a year Per
|cent.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At 31 December 1987 |662,469 |873,130 |75.9
At 31 December 1994 |1,017,335 |1,071,638 |94.9
Mrs. Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average waiting time for an ear, nose and throat appointment in each of the last five years. [19792]
Mr. Malone: This information is not available centrally.
Foetuses
Mr. Patten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been commissioned into whether foetuses feel pain while being aborted. [19746]
Mr. Sackville: A report on the subject of sensory development in the human fetus was prepared for the Department in 1988 by Dr. Maria Fitzgerald. A copy was placed in the Library.
NHS Number
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the Data Protection Registrar an undertaking that the NHS number will not be used for purposes not associated with health care; and if she will make a statement. [20041]
Mr. Sackville: Such an undertaking has been given by the Department to the Office of the Data Protection Registrar.
General and Acute Beds
Mrs. Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general and acute beds there were in each region in (a) 1993 94 and (b) 1994 95: [19811]
Mr. Sackville: Regional tables showing the average daily number of available beds in the general and acute sector for 1993 94 are published in "Bed availability for England, Financial Year 1993/94", copies of which are available in the Library. Comparative information for 1994 95 is not yet available.
Hearing Aids
Mrs. Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the (a) in-ear and (b) other hearing aids available on the NHS. [19789]
Mr. Bowis: A list of hearing aids available from central contract on the national health service in England via NHS Supplies will be placed in the Library. Hearing aid centres are also free to purchase and supply any other type of hearing aid if considered clinically necessary. Details are not kept centrally.
Mrs. Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average waiting time for a hearing aid clinic in each of the last five years. [19791]
Mr. Bowis: This information is not held centrally, but, from April 1995, one of the new standards introduced under the patient's charter is nine out of 10 people can be expected to be seen within 13 weeks when they are referred by their GP to a hospital consultant; everyone is expected to be seen by 26 weeks.
Mrs. Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hearing aid clinics there were in the NHS in each of the last five years. [19790]
Mr. Bowis: This information is not available centrally.
Infertility Treatment
Mrs. Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list the health authorities which are not
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purchasing IVF and GIFT infertility treatments plus the percentage of health authorities not purchasing this service; [19793] (2) what guidance she has issued on the maximum age a woman should receive infertility treatment on the NHS; and if she will make a statement on health authorities which will not purchase IVF/GIFT treatment for women over the age of 35 years; [19794](3) if she will list the NHS centres providing IVF and GIFT in England; [19795]
(4) how many IVF/GIFT process treatments were given on the NHS in each of the last five years. [19746]
Mr. Sackville: Information on those health authorities providing IVF and GIFT treatments, the centres in which such treatment is provided, and the number of treatments provided on the national health service in each of the last five years, is not available centrally.
Advice on sub-fertility treatment provision is available to health authorities and clinicians in:
The Effective Health Care Bulletin on "The Management of Subfertility" (August 1992), published for the NHS management executive by a consortium of Leeds and York universities and the research unit of the Royal College of Physicians.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has also published advice in:
"Infertility--Guidelines for Practice" (RCOG Press 1992) Copies of both publications are available in the Library. Local health authorities are responsible for the provision of local health services, including the provision of infertility services. Decisions about the resources to be made available for these services must be left to individual health authorities as they are in the best position to determine priorities in the light of local needs and circumstances.
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