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Mr. Heathcoat-Amory [holding answer 30 October 1995]: EC legislation existing prior to our accession set out the legal basis for Customs duties. The treaty of accession of the United Kingdom to the European Community and the European Communities Act 1972--specifically section 5--both of which were approved by Parliament, give the legal basis for the adoption, by the United Kingdom, of the EC common customs tariff. Accordingly, since 1 January 1974 the UK tariff has incorporated the EC common customs tariff, including
Column 149
specific duty rates expressed in European units of account, now termed European currency units. There are a number of other items throughout the tariff which also attract specific duties expressed in ecus. The ecu rate for wine is governed by a monthly industrial ecu conversion rate published in the EC Official Journal C series at the end of the month and applicable for the whole of the following month.Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to extend the ecu basis for import tariffs to items other than wine. [40220]
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory [holding answer 30 October 1995]: We have no knowledge of any proposals to extend the ecu basis for import tariff items. However, it should be noted that there are currently a number of other items throughout the tariff which also attract specific duties expressed in ecus.
National Loans Fund
Mr. Bayley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the impact on (a) public expenditure and (b) the public sector borrowing requirement of selling outstanding debt to the national loans fund held by (i) the Housing Corporation, (ii) the Civil Aviation Authority, (iii) British Rail, (iv) Scottish Homes and (v) new towns development corporations and commission; [40772] (2) if he will list and give the face value of outstanding loans to the national loans fund which if sold would have an effect on (a) public expenditure and (b) the public sector borrowing requirement. [40771]
Mrs. Angela Knight: The table shows the total value of loans from the national loans fund outstanding on 30 October 1995. NLF loans are not marketable.
If a nationalised industry or other public corporation repays an NLF loan, the effect is to reduce general Government expenditure. There will be a similar effect on the PSBR except in so far as the corporation offsets this by taking out other loans or running down its deposits.
If a private sector body repays an NLF loan, that will reduce general Government expenditure and the PSBR.
If a local authority or central Government body repays a loan to the NLF there is no effect on the general Government expenditure or the PSBR because the transaction is internal to the Government sector.
Loans from national loans fund: advances outstanding at
30 October 1995
|Advances
|outstanding at 31
|October 1995
|£
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans to nationalised industries
British Rail |722,916,667
British Waterways Board |17,186,000
Civil Aviation Authority |453,452,971
Scottish Nuclear Ltd. |192,665,347
Railtrack |1,247,335,619
Total loans to nationalised industries |2,633,556,604
Loans to other public corporations
Crown agents |1,924,650
Development Board for Rural Wales |8,445,937
Land Authority for Wales |3,227,500
New Towns-Development Corporations and
Commission |893,317,145
Scottish Enterprise |949,403
Scottish Homes |395,690,863
UK Atomic Energy Authority |138,666,667
Welsh Development Agency |1,002,737
Total loans to other public corporations |1,443,224,902
Loans to local authorities |40,725,747,490
Loans to the private sector
Harbour authorities |733,280
Housing associations |13,003,056
Total loans to the private sector |13,736,336
Loans within central Government
Central Office of Information |381,820
Housing Corporation (England) |752,288,998
Housing for Wales |59,071,733
Married quarters for Armed Forces |64,322,214
Northern Ireland |1,642,604,612
Total loans within central Government |2,518,669,377
Total |47,334,934,709
Sanitary Products
Mrs. Mahon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the Exchequer per year of reducing VAT on sanitary protection to 5 per cent. [40582]
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: Approximately £25 million per year.
Advance Corporation Tax
Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish revenue costs of reducing the rate of advance corporation tax and tax on dividends to (a) 17.5 per cent., (b) 15 per cent., (c) 12.5 per cent. and (d) 10 per cent. in a full year and of reducing the lower rate of tax to the same rates on the first (i) £1,000, (ii) £2,000 and (iii) £3,000 of rateable income, retaining any balance of £3,200 at the 20 per cent. rate. [39101]
Mr. Jack: The direct revenue effects of reducing the rate of advance corporation tax from 20 per cent. and the income tax charge on dividends from the lower rate of 20 per cent. to the specified levels are shown in the table. Estimates of the variation in revenue effects over the specified range of income tax rates and bands of taxable income are also given. Further information could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. The estimates take no account of possible behavioural effects which could be significant.
Direct revenue effects (£ billion, cost (-)/yield ( +)) at 1996-97 forecast income levels<1> ACT rate and tax rate on dividends (Per |Net revenue cent.) |effect<2> --------------------------------------------------- 17.5 |+0.7 15 |+1.4 12.5 |+2.1 10 |+2.7 <>Notes: <1>Based on the 1995 summer economic forecast. <2>Assuming that the fall in ACT yield would be offset by higher payments of mainstream corporation tax.
Income tax lower Band of taxable
income
rate (Per cent.)<1> |£1,000 |£3,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17.5 |-0.6 |-1.8
10 |-2.5 |-7.0
<1>Costs include consequential effects on capital gains tax and exclude the
effects of corresponding changes in the rate of ACT and the basic tax rate on
individuals.
Tax Rates
Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many additional people will pay tax at the higher rate if the basic rate upper limit is not raised in line with indexation in 1996 97; and what will be the average loss per taxpayer. [38997]
Mr. Jack: About 200,000 taxpayers would be brought into higher rate tax. The average additional income tax liability compared with indexation for the 2.4 million taxpayers affected would be about £145.
Mr. Griffiths: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the revenue cost or yield in 1995 96 and in a full year of the introduction of a minimum tax rate of (a) 15 per cent., (b) 20 per cent., (c) 25 per cent., (d) 30 per cent., (e) 35 per cent., (f) 40 per cent., (g) 45 per cent., (h) 50 per cent. and (i) 55 per cent. on gross incomes of over (i) £50,000, (ii) £70,000, (iii) £80,000, (iv) £90,000, (v) £100,000, (vi) £110,000, (vii) £120, 000 (viii) £130,000, (ix) £140,000 and (x) £150,000. [39104]
Mr. Jack: The table gives available estimates showing the variation in revenue yields over the specified ranges of tax rates and thresholds of gross incomes up to £100,000. Reliable estimates are not available for higher thresholds of gross income.
Full year revenue yield at 1995-96 levels. Rate of minimum tax £ million Gross income |15 per cent.|35 per cent.|55 per cent. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Over £50,000 |10 |1,860 |11,800 Over £70,000 |5 |710 |7,230 Over £100,000 |5 |280 |4,610
The estimates do not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of the new arrangements.
Income Statistics
Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the numbers of people in the United Kingdom in 1995 96 with gross and taxable incomes of (a) more than £100,000, (b) more than £150,000, (c) more than £200,000, (d) more than
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£300,000, (e) more than £400,000 and (f) more than £500, 000. [39114](2) if he will list the total gross income and total income tax liability of taxpayers falling in the bands (a) £20,000 £30,000, (b) £30,000 £40,000 and so on in £10,000 bands up to £130,000, specifying in each case the number of taxpayers falling in each band. [39089]
Mr. Jack: Available estimates are given in the table. It is not possible to provide reliable estimates for the specified bands of income above £100,000, nor is its possible to incorporate the detailed effect of mortgage interest relief which, in total, reduces income tax liability by £1.1 billion for taxpayers included in the table.
|Gross |Income tax |Number of
1995-96 |income<1> |liability<2>|taxpayers
£ |£ millions |£ millions |(thousands)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
20,000 to 30,000 |89,600 |16,800 |3,700
30,000 to 40,000 |38,200 |8,500 |1,100
40,000 to 50,000 |18,700 |4,770 |420
50,000 to 60,000 |10,600 |2,950 |200
60,000 to 70,000 |6,650 |1,950 |100
70,000 to 80,000 |4,950 |1,500 |70
80,000 to 90,000 |3,470 |1,090 |40
90,000 to 100,000 |2,470 |790 |30
100,000+ |23,200 |8,130 |120
<1>Gross income is defined as total income for income tax purposes.
It excludes income from certain social security benefits and some
investment income such as National Savings Certificates.
<2>Not taking account of mortgage interest relief.
Taxpayers' Liability
Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his projections for the total income and total income tax and national insurance liability of the top 1 per cent. of taxpayers and all taxpayers in 1996 97, based on the indexed 1995 96 regime, giving the amount by which tax and national insurance have changed when compared with the indexed regimes of (a) 1987 88, (b) 1992 93 and (c) 1995 96. [39112]
Mr. Jack: Available projections about total tax liabilities were published in table 2.2 of the 1995 summer economic forecast. The liabilities of the top 1 per cent. of taxpayers will depend on the income levels of this group.
Vehicle Taxes
Mr. Allen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which EC countries use a vehicle tax or licence fee related to engine size and which do not. [39903]
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: Most EU countries graduate their vehicle tax or licence fee according to engine characteristics.
Ministerial Transport Costs
Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost of ministerial transport in each of the past five years; what allowance has been paid to ministers who use their own vehicles; and what has been the cost in each of the past five years. [40744]
Mrs. Angela Knight: The total cost of ministerial transport in each of the past five years is as follows:
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|£
-----------------------------
1990-91 |216,127
1991-92 |294,341
1992-93 |277,559
1993-94 |284,610
1994-95 |283,518
1995 to date |171,913
No allowance has been paid to ministers for the use of their own vehicles in the past five years.
Annual Meetings (World Bank and International Monetary Fund)
Mr. Matthew Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the recent annual meetings of the World bank and the International Monetary Fund. [40971]
Mr. Kenneth Clarke: I attended meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World bank in Washington on 8 and 9 October, where progress was made on several issues of importance for the world economy and for developing countries. I also attended the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' meeting in Kingston, Jamaica on 4-5 October.
In Kingston, Ministers endorsed a report on measures against money laundering, following my proposals at last year's meeting in Valletta. This matter will now be considered by Commonwealth Heads of Government in Auckland in November.
I emphasised the desirability of an effective UN, and the need for reform of UN economic and social bodies. I hoped that the Commonwealth would give further impetus to the many UN reform activities under way.
I gained further support for my initiative to relieve the burden of multilateral debt on a small group of the poorest countries, as well as reiterating the need for full implementation of the Naples and Trinidad terms for official bilateral debt.
There was further discussion of multilateral debt at the interim and development committees of the World bank and IMF. The bank and fund will continue their work and report with proposals to the spring meetings in Washington next April. I am pleased to report that, one year on from the launch of my initiative, there is now an emerging consensus that this issue must be solved.
As usual, the IMF and World bank meetings were preceded by meetings of G7 and G10 Finance Ministers and central bank governors. In the G7, we reviewed global economic and financial conditions, concluding that in most countries the conditions for continued growth and employment gains are in place and inflation well under control. We agreed that policies should continue to aim at sustaining non-inflationary growth.
I joined other Ministers in urging the IMF and World bank to carry out an early, thorough assessment of needs for the reconstruction of Bosnia following a peace settlement. We had a useful discussion of the Russian economy with representatives of the Russian Government, led by First Deputy Prime Minister Chubais.
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The G10 endorsed the conclusions of a study on savings, investment and real interest rates, commissioned at my suggestion last year. These are that reducing fiscal deficits would be the swiftest and surest way to reverse the decline in national saving rates and the increase in average interest rates over the last 35 years. We agreed that it would be desirable to develop new parallel financing arrangements complementary to the general arrangements to borrow. Discussions will take place with potential participants, with the objective of agreement by next April.At the IMF interim committee I emphasised the need for flexible labour markets and a favourable business environment at a time of increasing technological change and international competition. Further progress was made in responding to the lessons of the Mexican crisis, as envisaged at the Halifax summit in June. This includes exceptional procedures for the IMF to respond promptly and prudently in the event of serious financial crises. I strongly supported conclusions on the need for regular and timely provision of comprehensive and good quality data to the fund and the establishment of standards for data publication. I welcomed fund efforts to make the surveillance of members' economies franker and more selective. I also urged the fund to develop effective ways of evaluating its own performance. Work is continuing on the 11th review of quotas, although the fund's liquidity is currently adequate.
I took the opportunity of the development committee meeting to welcome the new president of the World bank, Mr. Jim Wolfensohn, and expressed my support for his leadership. In a discussion of ways to reduce poverty, I emphasised the need for sound economic policies. The committee agreed on the importance of a significant replenishment of IDA. I stressed that donor countries should each shoulder a fair share of the burden.
Copies of my speeches to the Commonwealth Finance Ministers meeting, the interim committee and the development committee, and of the communiques of those meetings and the G7 and G10 Finance Ministers' meetings have been placed in the Library of the House.
DEFENCE
Military Liaison Officers
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the location, rank and role of each British military liaison officer based in France. [40160]
Mr. Soames: The UK's armed forces currently have the following liaison officers based in France.
|Location
------------------------------------------------------------
Royal Navy
Commander |Creil
Army
Lt. Colonel |Metz
Lt. Colonel |Saumur
Lt. Colonel |Coer
Lt. Colonel |Versailles
Lt. Colonel |Paris
Lt. Colonel |Draguignan
Lt. Colonel |Montpellier and Pau
Colonel |Metz
Royal Air Force
Sqn Leader |Taverny
Sqn Leader |Bordeaux
Flight Lieutenant |Salon
Flight Lieutenant |Marignane
Flight Lieutenant |Merignac
The role of a liaison officer is to act as a link between the two allied organisations.
Mr. Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the location, rank and role of each French military liaison officer based in the United Kingdom. [40159]
Mr. Soames: The French armed forces have the following liaison officers based in the United Kingdom.
|Location
---------------------------------------------------------
Army
Colonel |Upavon
Colonel |Wilton
Lieutenant-Colonel |Camberley
Colonel |Andover
Lieutenant-Colonel |Warminister
Lieutenant-Colonel |Blandford
Air Force
Commandant |MOD Harrogate
Commandant |MOD Wyton
Capitaine |RAF Valley
Commandant |RAF Waddington
Capitaine |RAF Coningsby
Capitaine |RAF Neatishead
Commandant |Bentley Priory
Capitaine |RAF Marham
Capitaine |RAF Shawbury
Capitaine |Boscombe Down
Lieutenant |RAF Linton-on-Ouse
The role of a liaison officer is to act as a link between the two allied organisations.
Nuclear Weapons (France)
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the dates when United Kingdom officials or employees of the atomic weapons establishments have visited the (a) Centre d'Etudes de Limil -Valenton in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, (b) Centre d'Etudes de Valduc, (c) Centre d'Etudes du Ripoult, (d) Centre d'Etudes Scientifique et Techniques d'Aquitane, Le Barp, (e) Centre d'Etudes de Bruyeres-le Chatel and (f) Centre d'Etudes de Vaujours, Moronvilliers, France, over the past five years, indicating the purpose of each visit; [40162]
(2) if he will make a statement on how far technical discussions between the United Kingdom and France relating to possible arrangements for peer review, as set out in the eighth report of the Defence Select Committee, "Progress of the Trident programme" (HC 350 of Session 1994 195), have progressed; what data or technical information have been sent from France to the United
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Kingdom for peer review as a result of these technical discussions; and if he will make a statement on progress on computer simulation discussions; [40195](3) if he will list the dates when United Kingdom officials or employees of the atomic weapons establishments have visited French nuclear weapons research facilities over the past five years; and if he will indicate details of the purpose of each visit; [40157] (4) what technical assistance is being provided to the French Government to aid them in their development of alternatives to underground nuclear weapons testing; [40155]
(5) if he will list the dates when French officials or scientists visited the atomic weapons establishments in the last five years; and if he will indicate the purpose of each visit. [40156]
Mr. Arbuthnot: I have nothing to add to my answer to the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) on 16 October 1995, Official Report, column 37.
French Naval Vessels
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names of all French naval vessels that have visited the United Kingdom over the last 10 years, indicating their port of call and the dates of their visits. [40163]
Mr. Soames: The information is available only from mid-1991 onwards. Research of records prior to that date could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.
Vessel |Port |Date of visit
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1991
Sterne |Dartmouth |24-26 June
La Belle Poule |Milford Haven |11-14 July
Sterne |Swansea |22-25 July
L'Audacieuse |Cowes |3-6 August
Circe |Plymouth |24-27 August
Lutteur |Poole |23-27 September
Phenix |Leith |27-29 September
Calliope and Cybele |London |21-25 October
Baccarat |Plymouth |25-28 October
La Fidele |Guernsey |29-31 October
Beveziers |Faslane |8-11 November
Beveziers |Rosyth |22-25 November
Amyot D'Inville |Leith |5-9 December
1992
Emeraude |Plymouth |24-28 January
Thetis |Falmouth |31 January-3 February
Grebe |Plymouth |7-11 February-2 March
Le Vigilante |Dartmouth |11-16 March
L'Audacieuse |Dundee |13-17 March
Laperouse |Portsmouth |24-28 March
Vulcain |Penzance |10-14 April
Emeraude |Portsmouth |22-27 April
Styx |Guernsey |24-27 April
La Grande Hermine |Guernsey |13-15 May
Latouche Treville |Glasgow |26-30 May
Saire |Jersey |26-27 May
Eridan |Liverpool |26-29 May
Andromede and Orion |Cardiff |1-4 June
Saire |Poole |2-6 June
La Fidele |Poole |3-5 June
Latouche Treville |Leith |12-16 June
Phenix |Inverness |18-22 June
Acharne and Cybele |Poole |24-26 June
Phenix |Cardiff |26-30 June
Jaguar, Leopard, Lion, Loire,
Lynx Panthere and Tigre |Leith |29 June-2 July
Aconit |London |11-15 July
Acharne |Plymouth |31 July-4 August
Acharne |Cowes |4-7 August
Phenix |Cowes |5-9 August
Emeraude |Faslane |25-30 August
La Combattante and Lutteur |Kingswear |26-30 August
Cybele |Portsmouth |28 August-1 September
Thetis |Greenock |6-14 September
Thetis |Campbeltown |14-19 September
Sirene |Falmouth |18-21 September
Phenix |Guernsey |29 September-2 October
L'Audacieuse |Shoreham |27-30 October
Agosta |Leith |30 October-3 November
Somme |Plymouth |6-9 November
Agosta |Leith |13-17 November
5 x MSC<1> |London |27 November- 1 December
Jaguar and Lion |Guernsey |1-9 December
1993
Tenace |Falmouth |15-18 January
Vulcain |Poole |15-19 January
5 x MCMV<2> |Dartmouth |18-25 January
Psyche |Rosyth |5-9 February
Pegase |Cardiff |9-12 February
Psyche |Leith |19-23 February
La Fidele and Saire |Jersey |2-5 March
5 x MCMV<2> |London |12-16 March
La Combattante |Guernsey |24-25 March
Clio |Portsmouth |2-6 April
L'Etoile and La Belle Poule |Plymouth |16-20 April
Psyche |Plymouth |29 April-3 May
Amethyste and Ouessant |Portsmouth |10-14 May
Primauguet |Portsmouth |11-14 May
Borda |London |21-24 May
Aconit |Liverpool |25-30 May
La Fidele |Poole |25-27 May
Frehel |Poole |25-28 May
Styx |Dartmouth |28 May-1 June
Grebe |Jersey |28-31 May
La Grande Hermine |Guernsey |1-2 June
De Grasse |Glasgow |3-5 June
CDT Birot, CDT Blaison and
Lt de Lavallee |Leith |7-11 June
Chacal, Lion, Panthere
and Tigre |Isle of Man |18-21 June
De Grasse |Leith |18-22 June
Clio |Dundee |21-25 June
La Grande Hermine |Guernsey |25-27 June
Eridan, La Belle Poule,
L'Etoile, and Goeland |Newcastle |13-17 July
Sirene |Dundee |16-20 July
Amethyste |Faslane |27 August-3 September
A. D'Inville |Plymouth |27-31 August
Sterne |Cardiff |31 August-3 September
Cotre Mutin |Cowes |7-10 September
Styx |Leith |16-22 September
L'Audacieuse, Calliope,
Cassiopee, Eridan, Lt de
Le Henaff, Loire, Orion
and Primauguet |Leith |17-20 September
Acharne |Poole |28 September-1 October
Alencon and Ouistreham |Plymouth |15-18 October
Sirene |Leith |29 October-1 November
Ouessant |Plymouth |4-8 November
Glaive |Torquay |5-8 November
Saire |Alderney |10-11 November
Sirene |Leith |12-15 November
Lion and Lynx |Guernsey |24 November- 1 December
Cdt Birot and Jean
Moulin |Plymouth |20 November- 2 December
1994
L'Audacieuse |Jersey |5-7 January
Vulcain |Poole |<2>4-7 January
Aconit, Cassiopee, Le
Henaff and Orion |London |4-8 February
Eridan |Swansea |11-14 February
Sterne |Cowes |14-17 February
Beveziers |Leith |18-22 February
Sirene |Leith |18-22 February
Beveziers |Leith |5-8 March
Centaure |Falmouth |11-16 March
Grebe |Southampton |11-14 March
Planet |Leith |15-16 March
La Combattante |Jersey |5-9 April
4 x MCMV<2> |Chatham |15-18 April
Clio and Croix Du Sud |Plymouth |14-18 May
9 x MCMV<2> |Leith |20-23 May
Eridan |Plymouth |2-6 June
Duguay-Trouin |Portsmouth |2-5 June
Styx |Weymouth |2-3 June
Circe |Milford Haven |3-6 June
Drougou |Portsmouth |3-5 June
Styx |Dartmouth |4-6 June
Borda |Guernsey |4-5 June
Frehel |Guernsey |9-12 June
Chef Robet and Trident |Jersey |9-13 June
Mutin |Salcombe |14-15 June
Mutin |Dartmouth |15-16 June
Circe |Falmouth |17-20 June
Mutin |Chausey |18-20 June
L'Audacieuse |Weymouth |20-23 June
Borda |Douglas |24-27 June
Grand Hermine |Helford |24-27 June
L'Herminer |Chatham |29 June-5 July
Belle Poule |Guernsey |1-4 July
Styx |Jersey |11-15 July
Sterne |Cowes |29 July-6 August
Vulcain |Chatham |19-23 August
Grebe |Penzance |19-23 August
Vulcain |Jersey |2-6 September
Epee |Jersey |7-9 September
Acharne and Lutteur |Poole |13-16 September
Pegase |Milford Haven |16-19 September
Grebe |Penzance |19-23 September
Cybele |Plymouth |20-23 September
Vulcain |Portland |26-30 September
EDIC 9010 |Marchwood |5-7 October
Beveziers |Plymouth |7-11 October
Borda |Torquay |14-17 October
Glaive |Guernsey |21-24 October
Agosta |Leith |21-25 October
L'Audacieuse |Plymouth |21-25 October
Perle |Plymouth |28 October-2 November
Agosta |Leith |4-8 November
Duguay-Trouin |Leith |4-8 November
Duguay-Trouin |London |10-14 November
Cote D'Aquitaine |Portsmouth |1-2 December
La Praya |Chatham |21-25 November
Frehel |Alderney |24-25 November
10 X Support Craft |Devonport |24-27 November
Cote D'Aquitaine |Portsmouth |1-2 December
4 X MCMV<2> |London |9-13 December
1995
Andromede |Portsmouth |16-19 January
Surcouf |London |1-4 February
Sirene |Leith |3-6 February
L'Ailette |Southampton |7-9 February
Sirene |Leith |17-21 February
La Fidele and Saire |Poole |13-16 March
3 X MCMV<2> |Jersey |17-20 March
Croix du Sud |London |27-31 March
Lavalle and CDT
L'Herminier |Plymouth |30 March-3 April
4 X MCMV<2> |Jersey |31 March-3 April
Malabar |Falmouth |31 March-4 April
L'Audacieuse |Oban |31 March-4 April
Lutteur |Portsmouth |16-18 May
Mutin |Falmouth |19-26 May
Epee |Guernsey |19-21 May
Mutin |Helford |23 May-6 June
Borda |Poole |30 May-2 June
L'Audacieuse |Leith |2-5 June
Latouche Treville |Leith |9-13 June
Loire |London |12-15 June
La Fidele |Alderney |20-21 June
Antares and Glycine |Swansea |27-29 June
Mutin |Oban |21-24 July
Circe |Falmouth |24-27 July
Mutin |Dundee |28-31 July
Mutin |Grimsby |3-7 August
Grebe |Douglas |4-8 August
CDT De Pimodan |Swansea |4-8 August
Calliopee |Plymouth |16-21 August
Aldebaran |Dartmouth |23-27 August
Mutin |Cowes |24-28 August
Utile |Milford Haven |25-29 August
Cybele |Portsmouth |1-4 September
Laperouse |Southampton |5-8 September
Elan |Southampton |5-8 September
Elan |Lowestoft |13-20 September
L'Etoile |Guernsey |19-21 September
La Fidele and La Lutteur |Poole |19-22 September
Elan |Southampton |21-25 September
Agosta |Leith |20-23 October
Circe |Portsmouth |27-30 October
Ouessant |Portsmouth |27-31 October
<1> MSC = Coastal Mine Sweeper.
<2> MCMV = Mine Countermeasures Vessel.
Military Information Sharing (France and Britain)
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all committees established for the purposes of co-ordinating and sharing information and ideas between French and British armed forces on military matters. [40158]
Mr. Soames: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Franco-British Joint Commission on Nuclear Policy
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the purpose of the Franco-British Joint Commission on Nuclear Policy and Doctrine, indicating how often on average the body meets each year. [40161]
Mr. Soames: The joint commission provides a forum for discussion of matters of mutual interest to the United Kingdom and France in the area of nuclear policy and doctrine. It has met two or three times a year. The details of its discussions are confidential between the two Governments.
Armed Services (Recruitment Costs)
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost in real terms of recruitment to the armed services in each of the past six years. [39990]
Column 160
Mr. Soames: The information is not held in the form requested for all years and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Outturn figures for the past three years are as follows:
1992 93: £89.053 million
1993 94: £97.310 million
1994 95: £93.277 million
Western European Union Medal
Sir Keith Speed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the response of the United Kingdom and other western European Governments to the proposal by United Kingdom delegates for a Western European Union medal for service in Western European Union operations agreed by the Western European Union parliamentary assembly in December 1994. [40032]
Mr. Soames: On 20 December 1994 the Western European Union Council gave its agreement in principle to the draft proposal by the former Netherlands presidency for a Western European Union mission service medal.
Since then, the Government, as a Council member of the Western European Union, have agreed in principle that this medal would be compatible with the British honours system for specific, agreed cases. However, to date, no proposal has been received from the Western European Union for the award of the medal, with appropriate clasp, for issue to any UK citizens.
RAF Machrihanish
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by year since 1990 the types and marks of (a) NATO and (b) other nationals' aircraft that have used RAF Machrihanish. [39046]
Mr. Soames: The information requested is contained in the table. A schedule of NATO and other military aircraft that have used RAF Machrihanish since 1990
NATO
1990
Tucano T1
Jetstream T2
Islander AL1
Andover C2/E3
HS 125
Dominie T1
Canberra PR9
Jet Provost T5A
Hawk T1
Shackleton AEW2
Nimrod MR2
C130 C1/C3
Buccaneer S2B
Harrier GR3,5,T4
Jaguar GR1,T2
Phantom II F4J, FGR1 and FGR2
Tornado F3, GR1
Chinook HC1
Gazelle AH1
Lynx AH1, HAS2
Puma HC1
Scout AH1
Sea King HAR3, HAS 5 and HC 4
Wessex HC 2
C12 Kingair
C21 Learjet
C23 Sherpa
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