House of Commons Hansard Debates for 19 Jul 1995

Mr. Soames: Military unmanned aerial vehicles currently only operate within MOD controlled airspace within existing danger areas. There are no plans at present for them to operate within any other controlled airspace within the United Kingdom.

Low Flying

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were undertaken by Tornados of the tri-national Tornado training establishment from RAF Leuchars under the winter venture deployment scheme in winter 1994 95; and how many of these involved low level flying. [35648]

Mr. Soames: A total of 198 sorties were flown, of which 184 involved low level flying.

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were conducted by (a) B-52s and (b) F-111s of the US Air Force during their recent deployment to RAF Fairford; how many of each were authorised low flying sorties; and if he will list the numbered low flying areas used by these aircraft during their deployment to the United Kingdom. [35641]

Mr. Soames: United States Air Force B-52s conducted 60 sorties during their deployment to RAF Fairford, eight of which involved flying within the UK low flying system. United States Air Force F-111s conducted 122

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sorties during their deployment, 48 of which involved flying within the UK low flying system. The aircraft used the following low flying areas during their deployment to the UK: 2, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17. Of these only low flying areas 13 and 14 were used by USAF B-52s.

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low flying sorties by British military aircraft have taken place over Slovakia since August 1994; and how many sorties are planned for 1995. [35647]

Mr. Soames: RAF aircraft have to date flown no low flying sorties over Slovakia and at present there are no plans for them to do so. We shall, however, continue to explore the prospects for low level flying with our partners in the region.

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for increased Royal Air Force use of the low flying training facilities at Goose bay following the completion of the environmental assessment report on operations from the base. [35646]

Mr. Soames: We have no plans at present to seek an increase in the RAF's annual allocation of low level sorties at the Goose bay facility. Operational and other training commitments do mean, however, that actual usage within the agreed ceiling varies from year to year.

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the deployments of Italian air force Tornados to RAF Cottesmore from 3 to 7 July, 24 to 28 July and 4 to 8 September; and what written agreements exist between his Department and the Italian authorities governing Italian air force combat aircraft deployments to the United Kingdom for low flying, weapons and electronic warfare training. [35639]

Mr. Soames: The purpose of the Italian air force Tornado detachments to RAF Cottesmore is to utilise the electronic warfare range at RAF Spadeadam and to carry out low flying training within the United Kingdom low flying system. No written agreements exist; I refer the hon. Member to the replies to his questions of 10 January, Official Report , c.103 and 2 December last year, Official Report , c.943 .

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many instances have been recorded in each of the last three years in which investigation of a complaint about low flying found that no aircraft had booked in to the relevant low flying area at the reported time of the incident. [35643]

Mr. Soames: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the nature of the aerial activity at low level (a) in the vicinity of Bargrennan on 27 June, (b) in the vicinity of Waterside, Doon Valley, on 28 June, (c) in the vicinity of Lochinvar, New Galloway, on 29 June, (d) in the vicinity of Auchenstroan Craig, Moniaive, on 30 June, (e) in the vicinity of Stroanfreggan on 3 July and (f) in the vicinity of Kendoon Loch on 4 July and in the vicinity of Craighead in the Dalwhat Valley and other locations in the south-west of Scotland throughout this period as notified in "Notice to Airmen J1477". [34351]

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Mr. Soames: The activity notified in "Notice to Airmen J1477/95" on the dates and at the locations listed in the question was close air support training down to 100 ft by Harrier aircraft of No. 4 Squadron. This training was part of the squadron's work-up before deployment in support of NATO air operations over Bosnia-Herzogovina

Military Activities (Environmental Impact)

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from his Department, and of what grades, participated in the United Nations Environment Programme meeting on military activities and the environment in Linkoping, Sweden, from 27 to 30 June; and if he will make a statement on the proposals arising from this meeting for the development of his policies in respect of mitigating the environmental impact of his Department's activities. [35630]

Mr. Soames: The defence attache at the British embassy, Stockholm attended the Linkoping conference. MOD will review the proceedings and recommendations of the Linkoping conference when these are received.

RAF Aldergrove (Chinooks)

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Chinook captains are currently assigned to Royal Air Force Aldergrove; how many of these have self-authorising status; and if he will make a statement. [35933]

Mr. Soames: My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Chinook ZD 576

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the forecast height of the +4 Celsius isotherm along the route of Chinook ZD 576 on 2 June 1994. [35948]

Mr. Soames: Approximately 4,500 ft above mean sea level.

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hours of sleep were obtained by the pilot and co-pilot of Chinook ZD 576 in the 24 hours prior to their accident on 2 June 1994. [35946]

Mr. Soames: It was not possible for the board of inquiry to ascertain how much sleep the two pilots had in the 24 hours prior to the accident. There is no evidence, however, to suggest that either officer had anything other than a relaxing evening with adequate rest.

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what were the minimum forecast visibility and cloudbase on the planned route of Chinook ZD 576 from Royal Air Force Aldergrove to Fort George on 2 June 1994; [35942]

(2) on how many occasions the pilot and co-pilot of Chinook ZD 576 on 2 June 1994 had flown at low level from Royal Air Force Aldergrove to Fort George in the previous 12 months; [35932]

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(3) what is the maximum permitted number of (a) flying hours and (b) duty hours in any 24-hour period for Chinook aircrew assigned to Royal Air Force Aldergrove; what are the differences between these limits and those applying to Chinook aircrew assigned to other stations; and what changes have been made to the limits at Aldergrove since 2 June 1994; [35947]

(4) how many complete Chinook flight crews were (a) assigned to and (b) available for duty at Royal Air Force Aldergrove on 2 June 1994; and what is the normal planned number of available flight crews. [35944]

Mr. Soames: My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

RAF Jaguar (Accident)

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the loss of an RAF Jaguar in the Adriatic sea in June. [35635]

Mr. Soames: A Jaguar GRIA on detachment from RAF Coltishall to Gioia del Colle was engaged in a routine training sortie on 21 June when it crashed into the Adriatic sea off the Italian coast. The pilot ejected safely and sustained only minor injuries. A RAF board of inquiry has been convened and a summary of its findings will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.

Tornado Training Establishment

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on future plans for the organisation and location of the tri-national Tornado training establishment. [35636]

Mr. Soames: The requirement for tri-national Tornado training establishment is kept under review by the participating nations. Any proposal affecting its future organisation or location would require detailed discussions between the parties involved before any announcement could be made.

Defence Conversion Strategies

Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from his Department, and of what grades, participated in the NATO Advanced Study Institute on defence conversion strategies held in Pitlochry from 1 to 14 July; and if he will list the titles of papers presented by members of his Department at the conference. [35634]

Mr. Soames: The Ministry of Defence's chief scientific adviser attended the conference on 7 July to deliver a paper on "Dual-use technology". A grade 3 official from the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency presented a paper on "Civil/Defence Strategies in the United Kingdom." These apart, I understand that one other grade 6 Ministry of Defence official attended.

Chemical Weapons

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what were the conclusions of the tests and studies conducted by the Chemical and Biological Defence

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Establishment, Porton Down, involving service volunteers to determine the degree of incapacitation following exposure to CR gas; and what was the nature of the exercise tests; [35080]

(2) pursuant to his answer of 24 February, Official Report, column 377 , how much CR gas was produced at Nacekuke in total; [35083]

(3) pursuant to his answer of 24 February, Official Report, column 378 , when the results of the physiological tests to determine the effects of CR gas on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems were first exchanged with the United States of

America. [35079]

Mr. Soames: These matters are for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 19 July 1995:

Your questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking about the degree of incapacitation caused by agent CR, how much of the agent was produced, and whether results were shared with the USA, have been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which now includes the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) as one of its Divisions. This reply covers all three questions.

Approximately two tonnes of CR were manufactured at the Chemical Defence Establishment Nancekuke, most of the production occurring in the mid 1970's. The tests which were carried out at CDE Porton Down with CR involving Service Volunteers concluded, as Dr Pearson informed you in his letter of 19 December 1994, that CR caused sensory irritation and was ten time more potent than CS. Exercise tests would have involved walking and stretching routines. As to date on which this information was exchanged with the United State of America I am afraid I can add no more of Dr Pearson's letter to you of 12 May 1993, a copy of which I attach for ease.

I hope this information is helpful.

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 December, Official Report , column 1175 , in which years the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment carried out the work to reach the assessment that, with an appropriate stabiliser, there was little decomposition of GD over three years; what was the stabiliser in this case; and when the results of this work were first shared with the United States of America; [35078]

(2) what assessment the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment has made of the shelf life of thickened GD; [35076] (3) pursuant to his answer of 24 February, Official Report , column 377 , in which years the work into the ease of acquisition of the precursors for GD was carried out; when the results of this research were first exchanged with the United States of America; and under which defence agreements these results were exchanged with the United States of America. [35075]

Mr. Soames: These matters are for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

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Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 19 July 1995:

Your Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about the acquisition of the precursors to nerve agent GD, the assessments made on its stability and shelf life have been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which now includes the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) as one of its Divisions. This reply covers all three questions.

Work to determine the ease of acquisition of the precursors of synthesis of GD was carried out as part of the research into the synthesis of the agent. It is not possible to determine the exact date on which work on precursor acquisition was carried out but it is likely this type of information was available by 1954. The work you refer to on the stability of GD was carried out at Chemical Defence Establishment Nancekuke between 1965 1968 and the stabiliser used was diisopropylcarbodiimide. No long term studies have been made to assess the shelf life of thickened GD.

Results of both of these programmes of work would have been shared as part of the continuing programme of information exchange and collaboration between the United States of America and the United Kingdom but specific dates for the exact time of exchange are now difficult to ascertain.

I hope this information is helpful.

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 February, Official Report , columns 378 79 , when the results of the research into GF were first exchanged with the United States of America. [35077]

Mr. Soames: This matter is for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 19 July 1995:

Your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking when the results of research into GF were first exchanged with the USA has been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which now includes the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) as one of its Divisions From the records available it is difficult to determine the exact date on which results of the work were first communicated to the United States but the exchange of this type of information would appear to have begun in 1947.

I hope this information is helpful.

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what were the conclusions of the skin and eye sensitivity tests conducted by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down, involving CS gas and service volunteers; [35082]

(2) from what source the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment obtained the CS gas for its tests and studies involving service volunteers. [35081]

Mr. Soames: These matters are for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 19 July 1995:

Your questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking about the tests into the skin and eye sensitivity of CS gas and the source of the CS have been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which

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now includes the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) as one of its Divisions. This reply covers both questions. The tests of eye and skin sensitivity conducted using Service Volunteers concluded that CS caused short term irritation to the sensory nerve endings giving rise to watering of the eyes and a burning or stinging sensation in the skin. The studies showed the value of CS as a non lethal gas for use in circumstances such as military training. The research quantities of CS used in these studies were manufactured at Chemical Defence Establishment, Nacekuke until shortly before its closure and then subsequently at CBDE Porton Down until 1990. Since 1990 CS has been manufactured by a commercial operator using the processes developed at CBDE.

I hope this information is helpful.

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work has been carried out by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment into the sensory irritant agent bromobenzyl cyanide; when this work was carried out; where this work was carried out; what were the purpose and conclusions of this work; and if this work involved service volunteers. [35084]

Mr. Soames: This matter is for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 19 July 1995:

Your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking for information on the work carried out on the sensory irritant agent bromobenzyl cyanide (BBC) at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) has been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) which includes CBDE as one of its Divisions.

Studies involving the sensory irritant BBC were carried out between the First and Second World Wars at the Chemical Defence Establishments at Porton Down and Sutton Oak. Exposure of Service Volunteers to BBC would have been part of the research programme and the conclusions of the investigations were that BBC caused sensory irritation and would be a useful tear gas. As a result of this work BBC was employed as the standard in-service tear gas during World War II.

Explosives and Propellants

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton on 10 July, Official Report, column 466, what is his Department's calculation of the financial benefits to Royal Ordnance of the EPREP--explosives, propellants and related end products--agreement. [35133]

Mr. Arbuthnot: The Ministry of Defence can assess the financial benefit of the EPREP agreement to Royal Ordnance only in terms of its total value which amounts to orders to the value of £560 million during the five-year tenure of the agreement.

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the explosives, propellants and end products agreement. [35132]

Mr. Arbuthnot: The explosives, propellants and related end products agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Royal Ordnance plc, now the Royal Ordnance Division of British Aerospace Defence Ltd., is "commercial- in-confidence". It is not the practice of Government to place commercial-in -confidence documents in the House of Commons Library.

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Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreement, formal or informal, covered the matters now covered by the explosives, propellants and related end products agreement before its signing. [35051]

Mr. Arbuthnot: The explosives, propellants and end products agreement subsumed two previous agreements: the explosives and propellants agreement of 18 August 1986, as amended by subsequent side letters, and the small arms ammunition agreement of September 1986. The E and P agreement attempted to secure the capability of producing certain military explosives and propellants in the UK by the MOD undertaking to procure its requirements from the Royal Ordnance for the duration of the agreement, that is, until August 1989. The SAA agreement derived from the E and P agreement and specifically committed the MOD to placing non-competitively with RO its requirements for 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm ammunition for the period 1986 87 to 1988 89 and 9 mm ammunition for the period 1987 88 to 1988 89.

Radiation Tests (Compensation)

Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims for compensation his Department has received since 1965 relating to radiation tests on humans; and if he will make a statement. [34478]

Mr. Soames: We are not aware of any such claims, other than in relation to alleged exposure to ionising radiation during the atmospheric nuclear test programme in the 1950s and early 1960s. If those involved had been subjected, accidentally or otherwise, to dangerous levels of radiation, however, an overall excess of death and of cancer would have been expected among British nuclear test veterans subsequently. In fact, studies by the National Radiological Protection Board of over 20,000 British nuclear test veterans have found no overall excess of death or cancer.

Bosnia (Rapid Deployment Force)

Mr. Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the British contribution to the rapid deployment force in Bosnia is still in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [35267]

Mr. Soames: A British battalion group of over 800 personnel is already in Bosnia as part of our contribution to UNPROFOR's rapid reaction force. In addition, the deployment of 24 Airmobile Brigade is continuing with some 1,100 troops in theatre to prepare for the arrival of the main body of the brigade. It is planned to have completed the deployment of over 4,000 personnel by mid-August.

Small Businesses

Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the results of (a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring. [34706]

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Mr. Arbuthnot: The Government continue to place a high priority on helping small businesses through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance.

Measures operated by my Department to assist small businesses include:

1. The services of the Defence Suppliers Service which meets and corresponds annually with several thousand suppliers, a very large proportion of which are small firms, offering advice on ways in which they can bring their goods and services to the attention of our buyers. The DSS also supports business links, which provide business counselling and support small businesses.

2. The promotion of the many opportunities which exist to sell to the Department by publicising contracts in various publications including the Defence Contracts Bulletin, which is a particularly useful source of sub- contract opportunities.

3. Systematically reviewing our contracting processes to ensure that all administrative procedures are still required and to reduce any unnecessary burdens on businesses. When considering new contracting policies and procedures, we take particular account of the implications for businesses of all sizes.

Human Remains (Underwater Searches)

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many underwater searches for human remains have been conducted in (a) British, (b) international and (c) foreign waters in each of the last five years. [35736]

Mr. Soames: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities his Department possesses for the underwater searching and detection of human remains. [35735]

Mr. Soames: My Department does not possess facilities with an area search capability which could be used to locate human remains underwater. Searches could be carried out by divers, but would be limited in depth and duration due to decompression requirements.

Music Teaching Courses

Mr. Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 4 July, Official Report , columns 182 83 , if he will provide the number presently taking part in each higher music teaching course and the annual cost of running each course. [36120]

Mr. Soames: My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Military Assistance (Training)

Mr. Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 3 April, Official Report , columns 968 69 , if for each year he will state the countries and the number from each who were trained. [35265]

Mr. Soames: Details of the military assistance provided to other countries are confidential between

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Governments. Over the period in question training costs for students from the following non-NATO countries were wholly or partially waived by the Ministry of Defence:

1989 90

Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Chile, Dominica, Egypt, Fiji, Grenada, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Senegal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE and Yemen. 1990 91

Antigua, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Chile, Dominica, Egypt, Fiji, Grenada, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and UAE.

1991 92

Antigua, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Dominica, Egypt, Fiji, Grenada, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and UAE.

1992 93

Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Chile, Dominica, Egypt, Grenada, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Montserrat, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Senegal, Thailand, UAE and Uruguay. 1993 94

Albania, Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Dominica, Egypt, Grenada, Hungary, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Latvia, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Senegal, St. Kitts, St. Vincent, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and UAE.

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