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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 7 November 1995
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Nursery Facilities
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what plans his committee has for the construction of nursery facilities in the Palace of Westminster. [42012]
Mr. Michael J. Martin: The Committee has no power to authorise the construction of facilities of any kind. This is a matter for the House of Commons Commission.
New Parliamentary Building
Mr. Thurnham: To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what is the current estimated cost of the new phase 2 Parliamentary Building. [41175]
Mr. Channon: The approved estimate for the new Parliamentary Building is £154 million at 1992 prices, plus any increases in building prices which occur before the contracts are completed in 1999. There are no indices to cover this period so the final cost could be only speculative at this stage.
Mr. Thurnham: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee how many (a) hon. Members and (b) others he estimates will be accommodated in the new Parliamentary Building phase 2 indicating an upper and lower projection. [41174]
Mr. Ray Powell: The new Parliamentary Building will provide offices for at least 210 hon. Members. It will also accommodate an equivalent number of Members' support staff, but the building has been designed flexibly so that Members can, subject to the rules then current, accommodate more staff in either their own or their support offices if they wish.
Public Access
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what plans his Committee has to alter the entrance for the public to the Palace of Westminster to enable Westminster Hall to be the entrance route via New Palace Yard. [42019]
Catering Facilities (Refurbishment Cost)
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what was the total cost of the recent refurbishment of catering facilities in the Palace of Westminster. [42011]
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Mr. Ray Powell: The contract value for the work undertaken this year to modernise the Members' and Strangers' cafeterias and kitchen and the Speaker's state kitchen is £1,600,000.
Norman Shaw North and South
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what consideration was given to the recycling of materials discarded from Norman Shaw North during refurbishment work; and if he will make a statement. [42015]
Mr. Ray Powell: The recycling of materials discarded during the refurbishment of Norman Shaw North is a matter for the main contractors.
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what future plans there are for refurbishment of Norman Shaw North and South; and if he will make a statement. [42013]
Mr. Powell: It is planned to install the Parliamentary Data Video Network on the first and second floors of Norman Shaw North next year and the remaining floors in 1997. The opportunity will be taken to carry out a limited refurbishment on a similar basis to the work successfully undertaken on the ground floor this year.
Only limited work was carried out in Norman Shaw South when it was acquired from the Metropolitan police and it will shortly require complete refurbishment. The long-term programme envisages that this work should be started once the new Parliamentary Building is completed at the end of the decade.
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what is the total cost of the refurbishment of the ground floor of Norman Shaw North during the recent recess. [42016]
Mr. Powell: The project was undertaken to fulfil the decision of the House to make the PDVN available to hon. Members and their staff. This year's phase of the work involved the provision of the network on the ground floor, together with refurbishment work which it was sensible to carry out at the same time, and the installation of monitors to allow Members on the upper floors and in Norman Shaw South to receive the "clean feed" of the proceedings in the Chamber. The estimated cost of the phase is £0.7 million.
DEFENCE
Radar Interference
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to neutralise the recently installed radar equipment at HMS Cambridge at Wembury, south Devon so as to prevent interference with hearing aids of residents in nearby villages and to prevent security lights from being tripped; and if he will make a statement. [41491]
Mr. Soames: The new Watchman radar which is sited at HMS Cambridge provides air traffic control cover above the Plymouth sea exercise areas for flag officer sea training, whose activity has recently moved from Portland to Plymouth.
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These radars first entered service about five years ago and there are now more than 50 in use in the UK. We are not aware that similar problems are being encountered elsewhere and therefore had no expectation of any in south Devon. However, we have arranged for a team of technical experts to visit the area to examine the impact of the radar and to investigate the problems that local residents are reporting. This is planned to commence on 9 November. The team proposes to conduct a "surgery" in the area, followed by technical investigations. Should it be established that the radar is indeed causing these problems, we shall of course do all that we can to resolve them.French Nuclear Tests
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make it his policy that the United Kingdom Government will decline to receive, consider or make use of any information or data resulting from the current French nuclear testing programme; [41494] (2) if the United Kingdom Government have, at any time, made it their policy to decline to receive, consider or make use of any information or data resulting from French nuclear tests other than the present series. [41495]
Mr. Arbuthnot: We have neither asked for, nor been offered, information or data resulting from the current French test programme. The UK is not involved in any way in these tests. Data from French tests would not be directly relevant to our nuclear weapons. The Government believe that it would be irresponsible to rule out for the future any form of co- operation with any of our allies, consistent with our international non- proliferation obligations, which might help us fulfil our responsibility to ensure the safety and reliability of our nuclear deterrent.
Mr. Robin Cook: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions and on what dates, aircraft carrying (a) supplies and (b) nuclear materials to the French nuclear test site at Muroroa Atoll in the South Pacific have been authorised to use United Kingdom airspace since June of this current year. [42064]
Mr. Soames: I know of no such flights in United Kingdom airspace.
Forces Manpower
Mr. Mans: To ask the Secretary of State for defence if he will list the front-line level of uniformed manpower in the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force in April 1985, April 1990, April 1995 and the projected level in April 1996 and April 1997. [41379]
Mr. Soames: The approximate strength of uniformed manpower for each of the three services in April of the years requested is as follows:
|1985 |1990 |1995 |1996 |1997
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Royal Navy |70,000 |63,000 |51,000 |48,000 |46,000
British Army |170,000|160,000|116,000|113,00 |112,000
Royal Air Force |93,000 |90,000 |71,000 |65,000 |57,000
These figures are inclusive of trainees and, in the case of the Army, Gurkhas--but not the Royal Irish Regiment,
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Home Service Force. Estimates of strength for 1996 and 1997 are sensitive to assumptions about recruitment and retention rates.Aircraft Loaders
Mr. Colvin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what military purpose two self-propelled aircraft loaders are required, as set out in future purchase No. SMC31ARAF076; what consideration was given to leasing or contract hire of such vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [41320]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The two self-propelled aircraft loaders are required to support C130 and VC10 aircraft. Their military purpose is to transport air cargo loads between the aircraft and storage areas, and to transfer those loads both into and out of the aircraft. The leasing of equipment is routinely considered as part of the replacement decision. In general, however, there is no commercial equipment available which meets the specific military requirements and the leasing or contract hire of purpose- built self-propelled aircraft loaders has been shown to be uneconomic. As the specialist nature of these vehicles rules out the leasing of commercially available types, and as the high cost of refurbishment of existing vehicles, which are over 20 years old, precludes that option, purchase was assessed to be the most economic means of meeting its operational requirement.
Materials Handling Equipment
Mr. Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the operation of the fleet of materials handling equipment. [41586]
Mr. Soames: I will write to the hon. Member.
Defensive Monitoring Units
Mr. Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which unit of (a) the Army and (b) the Royal Navy is responsible for defensive monitoring of Army and Royal Navy frequencies; and if he will make a statement. [41588]
Mr. Soames: It is not our policy to comment on operational matters of this kind.
Nuclear Materials (Transport)
Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to change the escort status of nuclear material conveyed by road through South Yorkshire. [41619]
Mr. Soames: No changes are currently planned to the escort arrangements for nuclear material convoys operated by the Ministry of Defence. It is not our practice to comment on the routes used by such convoys.
Accident, Padarn Lake
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 October, Official Report , column 587 , if he will place in the Library a report of the RAF board of inquiry into the accident at Padarn lake on 12 August 1993. [41576]
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Mr. Soames: Copies of the summary of the board of inquiry are being placed in the Library today.
Tornado Aircraft
Mr. Hutton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft are stationed at RAF Bruggen; and how many currently have two serviceable engines. [41346]
Mr. Soames: There are currently 54 Tornado GR1 aircraft stationed at RAF Bruggen. However, 14 of these aircraft are currently deployed elsewhere on operations and training or undergoing major maintenance. Of the remaining 40 aircraft, 28 currently have two serviceable engines.
Mr. Hutton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF service men were engaged on servicing Tornado aircraft in 1992; and how many (a) service men and (b) civilians are doing so now. [41349]
Mr. Soames: The following figures relate to Tornado maintenance carried out by the RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency at RAF St Athan and RAF Sealand:
|1992 |1 November 1995
------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Personnel |641 |1,031
MOD Civilians |421 |470
Total |1,062 |1,501
Servicing of Tornado aircraft at front-line operating bases is also carried out by service personnel; however, the number of personnel involved is not readily available.
European Court Decisions
Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer from the Attorney-General on 30 October 1995, Official Report , columns 12 14, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and what was the estimated annual cost to public funds of each
decision. [41216]
Mr. Soames [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I refer to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Asbestos Injuries
Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to review the recent court case on asbestos injury; and what assessment he has made of the effect the court case will have on the claims from ex-service personnel who had contact with asbestos during their military service. [41850]
Mr. Soames: Any former service personnel suffering an illness as a result of exposure to asbestos dust during their time in the armed forces is eligible for a war pension. However, where the exposure to asbestos dust occurred in service prior to May 1987, section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947 precludes payment of common law compensation for resultant illness. Following repeal of
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section 10 of this Act, compensation may be paid if exposure occurred after May 1987. The recent court case referred to has not altered this position.Defence Contracts
Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage and cash values of contracts given to British companies by his Department for defence products; and how many jobs were retained and created as a result of such contracts for each of the last five years. [33096]
Mr. Arbuthnot: I will write to the hon. Member.
Maintenance Trolleys
Mr. Colvin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what military purpose 16 aircraft hydraulic system maintenance trolleys are required, as set out in future purchase No. SMC31BRAF574; what consideration was given to leasing or contract hire of such vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [41321]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The 16 hydraulic system maintenance trolleys are required to support the VC-10 and Tristar fleets. Their military purpose is to test the hydraulic systems of these aircraft as an aid to fault diagnosis and to prove system performance following maintenance or rectification whether carried out at RAF stations in the UK or when deployed abroad. The tender documents for this contract will include a clause encouraging innovative proposals and any lease or hire options which are put forward by industry will be considered on their merits.
Armoured Vehicles
Mr. Home Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what response has been received to his recent invitation to companies to supply modern wheeled armoured vehicles for a demonstration of such vehicles for senior officers; how much notice was given of this proposed demonstration to potential exhibitors; for what reason the demonstration is to include driving experience for selected officers; on the basis of what previous experience of driving armoured vehicles these officers will be selected; and if he will make a
statement. [41239]
Mr. Arbuthnot: Companies have been invited to provide, at their own cost, examples of wheeled armoured vehicles, to give a general demonstration of the capabilities of such vehicles in the context of the Army's potential future equipment requirements. The demonstration will not in any sense be a formal assessment of the vehicles. As part of the demonstration, senior officers with responsibilities relating to the use of armoured vehicles will be given an opportunity to receive first-hand experience of driving the vehicles, in order to gain a better understanding of modern wheeled vehicle technology. Five companies have responded. They were originally given one month's notice, but the demonstration has now been postponed until spring 1996.
Fuel Tankers
Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the tankers in service with the Royal Air Force are capable of the mid-air refuelling of F 16 aircraft. [41489]
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Rolls-Royce Engines (Tornadoes)
Mr. Hutton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cause of the delay at Rolls-Royce in reconditioning RB199 engines for RAF Tornadoes; how many are currently with Rolls-Royce or waiting to be sent to it; how many would be unserviceable at any one time under usual conditions; and what steps the Government are taking to ensure that Rolls-Royce resolves the problems it currently faces and meets the terms of its contract for servicing RB199 engines for the RAF. [41347]
Mr. Arbuthnot: Complete RB199 engines are not currently, nor have been held at, Rolls-Royce for reconditioning. Modules for incorporation into the RAF Tornado RB199 engine are reconditioned by Rolls-Royce. Production delays have been experienced because of industrial action at Rolls-Royce plants earlier this year. RAF logistics command has maintained continuous pressure on Rolls-Royce to meet the RAF's requirements and a programme of measures has been initiated to achieve required production levels. CinC Logistics Command met Rolls-Royce senior executives last week and used the occasion to impress on them the need for their personal and continued commitment in meeting new production targets.
Spare Parts (Tornadoes)
Mr. Hutton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on spare parts for RAF Tornado aircraft each year for the past five years; and how much is in the estimates for this purpose in the current year. [41350]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The value of spares expenditure incurred for Tornado airframe and engine spares, avionics, special to type ground equipment and test sets for each of the past five years was as follows:
1990 91: £176 million
1991 92: £214 million
1992 93: £200 million
1993 94: £184 million
1994 95: £161 million
The provision for the current year is £149 million.
These figures do not include details of expenditure in respect of local purchases, spares orders placed by commodity range managers and spares purchased from other nations under mutual supply support arrangements, which are not available centrally.
Ammunition
Mr. McWilliam: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made as to the necessity of the retention of a comprehensive domestic capability to manufacture ammunition required by British armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [41635]
Mr. Arbuthnot: We keep under review the availability and dependability of our sources of supply for ammunition. This does not necessarily require the maintenance of a comprehensive domestic capability to manufacture every type of ammunition in service.
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Defence Joint Ventures
Mr. McWilliam: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contact there has been between Ministers or civil servants and Royal Ordnance or BAE regarding the setting up of a joint company or other arrangement involving GIAT of France; and if he will make a statement. [41637]
Mr. Arbuthnot: My Department has been kept informed about a possible joint venture between Royal Ordnance and GIAT, and the progress of discussions. Such exchanges are in confidence. Any firm proposals which arose would be subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities in the usual way.
Private Finance Initiative
Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by type of project (a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the public finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41732]
Mr. Arbuthnot: To date my Department has approved one project under the private finance initiative; the value of this scheme is commercially confidential.
Artillery Shells
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many 155 mm artillery shells were sold off by his Department in each year between 1980 and 1990; and if he will list each country purchasing the shells and the average price obtained. [42060]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The records of sales conducted by the Ministry of Defence, prior to the privatisation of Royal Ordnance in 1985, or of surplus shells between 1985 and 1990, are not available. Questions related to sales conducted by Royal Ordnance plc since that date are a matter for the company.
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the number and value of 155 mm shells and cartridges produced for export by the United Kingdom in each of the years 1980 to 1990; and to which countries these items were exported. [42062]
Mr. Arbuthnot: It remains Government policy not to reveal details of exports of defence equipment. Such information is confidential between the customer and the supplier.
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many 155 mm shells were purchased by his Department for the Falklands war; and what was the country of origin of those shells and shell components and the average price paid. [42061]
Mr. Arbuthnot: No 155 mm guns were used in the Falklands war and therefore no 155 millimetre shells were purchased.
Mr. Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many 155 mm shells and parts of 155 mm shells were purchased by his Department each year between 1980 and 1990; and what was the average price paid for these shells. [42057]
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Mr. Arbuthnot: The information required could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
Scott Inquiry
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons in his Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid. [42507]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The number of staff in my Department wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry is two and their direct annual salary costs is £60,632. It is not possible to identify the number of people involved on a part-time or occasional basis within the Department or as external consultants or advisers, but the amount so far spent by my Department on external advice is £48,601.
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his Department relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42058]
Mr. Arbuthnot: Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary.
Ministerial Meetings
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times in each month of the current year he has met personally the heads of the agencies which report to him to discuss the work of those agencies. [39854]
Mr. Arbuthnot [holding answer 1 November 1995]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's ownership responsibilities for the 23 defence agencies are usually discharged in the first instance by a designated officer or official in the Department or one of the service commands. Meetings between Ministers and defence agency chief executives occur infrequently, when the nature of the business requires it.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Private Finance Initiative
Mr. Betts: To ask the Attorney-General if he will list by type of project (a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the
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value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41734]The Solicitor-General: To date, the Law Officers' Departments have not used the private finance initiative for the funding of any schemes. However, use of the PFI is being considered for future projects where appropriate.
Scott Inquiry
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Attorney-General how many persons in his Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or a full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid. [42076]
The Attorney-General: Leaving aside members of Sir Richard Scott's inquiry team, a number of staff in my Departments work on matters related to the Scott inquiry from time to time as part of their duties and it is not possible to estimate the overall cost. The amount so far spent by my Departments on external advice is £9,940. It is not the practice to name staff or external advisers in these circumstances. The costs of staff in the Treasury Solicitor's Department providing legal services to client departments in connection with the inquiry are included in charges invoiced to Departments.
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