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Army Tanks
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many tanks the Army possessed in (a) 1979 and (b) 1996. [17758]
Mr. Arbuthnot [pursuant to his reply, 28 February 1996, c. 557]: I regret that my answer which gave details of tank numbers erroneously stated that at 1 January 1996 the Army possessed 470 main battle tanks of which 350 were deployed in operational units. I can now confirm that on that date the Army possessed 513 main battle tanks, of which 351 were deployed in operational units.
Beef Purchases
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much beef was purchased by his Department in each of the last five years; how much of this was British; if he will list the other countries from which his Department purchases beef together with the quantity; and what plans he has to review his policy in respect of purchasing British beef. [23000]
Mr. Arbuthnot: Since 1 October 1994, the supply of food to the armed forces has been the responsibility of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute. My Department does not specify the source from which NAAFI should obtain beef--or any other meat--but the majority is supplied from south America and until recently some from EC intervention stocks. The use of British beef joints is therefore extremely small, but a range of beef products--for example mince, offal and beefburgers produced from British beef--is provided to the armed forces.
Prior to October 1994, beef was purchased directly by my Department but no records were kept of the quantities sourced by a particular country, although the majority was imported from south America.
In view of yesterday's announcement, there is no perceived reason to change existing arrangements.
Mr. Brazier:
To ask the Secretary of state for Defence what arrangements he is making to examine the nature and extent of information currently provided on the export of defence equipment as recommended in Sir Richard Scott's report; and if he will make a statement. [23294]
27 Mar 1996 : Column: 638
Mr. Arbuthnot:
My Department is leading the review recommended by Sir Richard Scott. It will examine the nature and extent of information currently provided, and will take account of the industrial, employment and diplomatic implications of any change in the longstanding parliamentary convention governing the disclosure of information. We shall be seeking the views of a wide range of interested parties and will report back to the House before the summer recess.
Hon. Members and others wishing to comment on any issue that the review might cover should write to:
The closing date for contributions to the review process will be 24 May 1996.
Dr. Godman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, during the forthcoming minesweeping exercise in and around the firth of Clyde, Royal Navy vessels will carry fishery liaison officers; and if he will make a statement. [22453]
Mr. Soames:
I am pleased to say that fishery liaison officers will indeed be embarked on Royal Navy vessels during the initial minesweeping serials conducted in the new exercise areas in and around the firth of Clyde, following agreement with local fishermen's representatives. Their role will be to develop mutual understanding between the mine countermeasures staff and the fishermen, and to ensure that both may go about their business safely and with the minimum of disruption.
Mr. Caborn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the individuals, by name, civil service post and receiving company, who are on temporary secondment from his Department to industry as part of the continuing programme of interchange of staff with the private sector. [22792]
Mr. Arbuthnot:
There are 26 MOD civil servants who are currently seconded from MOD to industry as part of the Ministry's interchange with industry programme. The list of receiving companies or organisations, with the civil service grade(s) of their secondee(s), is as follows:
Copies of the document already placed in the Library of the House which sets out the current position in relation to informing Parliament about the export of defence equipment can be provided on request.
Mrs. Mollie Field
Export Information Review
Room 0206
Ministry of Defence
Main Building
Whitehall
London SW1A 2HB.
| Organisation | Grade number |
|---|---|
| Involvement and Participation Association | Grade 6 x 1 |
| Prince's Youth Business Trust | Grade 7 x 1 |
| Raytheon Ltd. | Grade 5 x 1 |
| Opportunities for People with Disabilities | Grade 5 x 1 |
| SEO x 1 | |
| EO x 1 | |
| Docklands Light Railway Ltd. | Grade 5 x 1 |
| Grade 7 x 1 | |
| South Dorset Economic Partnership | EO x 1 |
| Hunting/Brae Ltd. | HPTO x 2 |
| BAe SEMA | Grade 6 x 1 |
| Addison Wesley Longman | Senior Librarian x 1 |
| Dalmuir Suspension | Engineering Technician x 1 |
| Cray Communications Ltd. | Grade 7 x 1 |
| British Railways Board | Grade 5 x 1 |
| Civil Aviation Authority | Fire Services Officer x 1 |
| BMT Defence Services Ltd. | Science Management Trainee x 1 |
| The Trident Trust | HEO x 1 |
| Chief Typing Manager x 1 | |
| Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust | HEO x 1 |
| EO x 1 | |
| Bristol and Avon Enterprise Agency | SEO x 1 |
| Northern Development Company | Grade 7 x 1 |
| Kings College, London--Centre of Defence Studies | HEO x 1 |
| Fairfax Electronic Commerce Resource Centre | Senior Patents Officer x 1 |
27 Mar 1996 : Column: 639
It is MOD policy not to name individual civil servants who may be working outside the Ministry.
Helicopters (Crossmaglen)
Mr. Madden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from (a) sporting organisations and (b) others about helicopter operations from the base in Crossmaglen in Northern Ireland. [23065]
Mr. Soames: Representations are received from time to time about helicopter operations in Northern Ireland but no record of these is kept centrally. Helicopters are essential to the Army acting in support of the police in Northern Ireland. Every effort is made to minimise any nuisance or inconvenience to the public.
Attack Helicopter Contract
Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to place a contract for the new attack helicopter for the Army; and if he will make a statement. [23664]
Mr. Arbuthnot: Following the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations, I am pleased to announce that a contract has been signed with GKN-Westland Helicopters for 67 Apache attack helicopters each to be equipped with the Longbow fire control radar and powered by Rolls-Royce RTM322 engines. Apache will replace the Army Air Corps' Lynx anti-tank helicopter.
Around 180 UK companies are involved in the order. Hunting Engineering and Shorts of Belfast will be involved in supplying the weapons.
To ensure we have the optimum mix of flexibility and fire power, 48 of the aircraft will be deployed to the frontline in three regiments of 16 aircraft--two with 24 Air Mobile Brigade at Wattisham and one with three (UK) Division at Dishforth. These regiments will also provide support to 1 (UK) Division and the Royal Marines. Nine aircraft will be based at Middle Wallop for training and trials and one at Boscombe Down for trials. The remaining
27 Mar 1996 : Column: 640
nine aircraft will be held at royal naval aircraft yard, Fleetlands as a peacetime attrition reserve. A regiment from 24 Air Mobile Brigade will form the core of the lead aviation battle group of the joint rapid deployment force.
Mrs. Clwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to reply to the question from the hon. Member for Cynon Valley of 26 February relating to matters classified as ones which successive Administrations have refused to answer. [23059]
Mr. Donohoe:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many questions were tabled to his Department in each Session since 1987-88; how many were not answered on the grounds of disproportionate cost; what percentage of the total number of questions this represented; how many were not answered on the grounds that the information was not centrally available; and what percentage of the total number of questions this represented. [21148]
Mr. Boswell:
The number of questions tabled to this Department in each Session since 1987-88 is as follows:
| Session | Number of questions tabled |
|---|---|
| 1987-88 | 2,536 |
| 1988-89 | 3,001 |
| 1989-90 | 2,852 |
| 1990-91 | 1,618 |
| 1991-92 | 790 |
| 1992-93 | 2,697 |
| 1993-94 | 1,925 |
| 1994-95 | 1,846 |
| 1995-96(13) | 624 |
(13) As at 20 March 1996.
These figures have been produced from the POLIS database (Parliamentary On-Line Information System). These figures reflect the number of questions answered and should be treated as indicative only; because of certain factors complete accuracy on departmental activity cannot be provided.
The rest of the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but is a matter of public record.
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department has spent in total in answering parliamentary questions in each parliamentary Session since 1989-90. [22878]
Mr. Boswell: This Department does not calculate the data requested, and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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