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DEFENCE

Mustard Gas

Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research findings he has evaluated on the genetic effects of exposure to mustard gas; and what are the conclusions of this research. [4986]

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

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Letter from John Chisholm to Mrs. Margaret Ewing dated 8 December 1995:

Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what research findings have been evaluated regarding the genetic effects of exposure to mustard gas has been passed to me to reply as the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency which includes the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment as one of its divisions.
The Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment has not carried out any research on the genetic effects of exposure to the chemical warfare agent Mustard gas nor has it evaluated any research findings relating to this subject.
I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

Theft

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reported incidents of theft there have been in his Department in each of the last 10 years. [4565]

Mr. Arbuthnot [holding answer 7 December 1995]: The information as follows:

Year	Number
1985-86	3
1986-87	0
1987-88	5
1988-89	1
1989-90	1
1990-91	12
1991-92	2
1992-93	2
1993-94	20
1994-95	51

The figures for the two most recent years have been significantly affected by improved reporting procedures following the creation of the defence fraud unit.

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about measures being taken by his Department to counteract theft in his Department. [4567]

Mr. Arbuthnot [holding answer 7 December 1995]: My Department has taken a range of measures to deter and detect theft and to make staff aware of the need for vigilance. All suspected cases are vigorously pursued and an internal statement entitled, "Fraud and Theft--Policy and Law", makes it clear that we shall not tolerate dishonest behaviour among MOD employees. Investigations into suspected fraud and theft are undertaken by the Ministry of Defence and Service police. The deterrence of fraud, including theft, forms part of high level management plans with requirements placed upon senior line management to impose sound controls, follow up suspicions and report suspected theft. There is a defence fraud unit which is tasked with collating information, assessing policy and raising awareness of the risk of fraud and theft. Physical security is an essential element at all MOD establishments and appropriate measures such as random gate checks and inventory reviews are among the key controls operated by management. Recovery is pursued wherever possible.

Surplus Munitions Material (Disposal)

Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current procedure for disposing of surplus

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explosives and other munitions materials; and if he will make a statement. [4985]

Mr. Arbuthnot: When explosives and other munitions material are declared surplus, the preferred option is for disposal by sale under strict Government guidelines. If this is not possible, either for safety reasons or because the material has become time-expired, it is disposed of in one of the following ways:

by an approved contractor;
by the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation using a rotary kiln with environmental emission controls or by burning in the open under strictly controlled conditions;
locally by technically qualified personnel on licensed demolition grounds on MOD property.

Type 23 Frigate

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the contract for the type 23 frigate order. [5008]

Mr. Arbuthnot: I have yet to take a decision.

New Weapons

Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received with regard to co-operating with EC and NATO allies in the research and development of new weapons systems; and if he will make a statement. [4988]

Mr. Arbuthnot: My Department pursues international collaboration on the research and development of equipment as an efficient means of achieving value for money in defence procurement. Details are provided in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1995, paragraphs 436 to 438. My officials actively participate in a wide variety of collaborative arrangements and multilateral programmes. Opportunities for collaboration on research are identified in the NATO defence research group and in the Western European armaments group's EUCLID-- European Co-operation for the Long Term in Defence-- programme. Details can be found on page 57 of volume 2 of this year's "Forward Look on Government-funded Science, Engineering and Technology", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

Arcadia Land plc

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts Arcadia Land plc has with his Department. [4979]

Mr. Arbuthnot: The central database maintained by my Department has no record of any contracts placed with Arcadia Land plc. A record of contracts placed by agencies or local purchase units is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

National Defence Industries Council

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the National Defence Industries Council last met; who was present; and what topics were discussed. [4980]

Mr. Arbuthnot: The National Defence Industries Council last met on 23 November 1995. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence chaired the

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meeting, which was attended by Ministers and officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade and Industry and senior figures in the United Kingdom defence industry. The council discussed current topics in the field of defence procurement and the defence industry.

Civilian Employees, Scotland

Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilians are employed by the Ministry of Defence in Scotland. [4987]

Mr. Arbuthnot: As of 1 October 1995, around 10,500 of my Department's 113,100 UK-based civilian staff were located in Scotland.

Domestic Property Sales

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service houses have been sold in each of the last 12 months; and what were the total receipts from these sales. [4978]

Mr. Arbuthnot: Sales of married quarters have historically been recorded on a quarterly basis. In the 12 months to 30 September 1995 a total of 1,062 properties were sold; 290,279,229 and 264 in each of the four quarters. The receipts from such disposals are not separately recorded and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Battlefield Identification Technology

Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken to develop battlefield identification friend or foe technology for use in the armed forces; and when it is estimated that such technology will be deployed. [4972]

Mr. Arbuthnot: Work to develop a battlefield identification friend or foe system to help reduce fratricide is progressing well. However, this is an extremely complex technical requirement and it is vital that any deployed system be interoperable with our allies. In order to provide a system as soon as possible, a staged approach is being adopted which will allow an interim capability to be fielded in advance of the full solution. It is estimated that an interim capability will be available in around six months.

Light Vehicle Replacement Competition

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the decision to tender for the light vehicle replacement competition was announced; which companies placed tenders for that competition; when the decision to acquire 394 light vehicles from Steyr-Daimler-Puch was taken; when the contract was awarded to Steyr-Daimler-Puch; and if he will make a statement. [4976]

Mr. Arbuthnot: The decision to put future purchases of light and medium utility trucks for the Army to competition was taken in April 1985. Invitations to tender for the competition were issued in October 1991. Land Rover, Iveco Ford and Steyr-Daimler-Puch submitted tenders. The decision to purchase 394 of the heavy duty

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version of the medium utility truck from Steyr-Daimler-Puch was taken and the contract placed in June 1994.

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