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Local Authorities (Negligence Claims)
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 18 April, Official Report, columns 635-36, if he will consult the Welsh Local Authority Association concerning the negligence insurance cover available to local authorities and the principles of open government in fault and negligence cases. [27304]
Mr. Hague: I have no plans to do so at present.
Child Sex Abuse
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost of the outside legal advice he has received in relation to the Jillings report into child sex abuse in Clwyd; and how many (a) solicitors, (b) Queen's counsel and (c) other barristers have been involved. [27316]
Mr. Hague: One junior counsel has been instructed by the legal adviser of the Welsh Office. His fee note has not yet been received.
Further and Higher Education
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new proposals he has to improve the educational value of further and higher education services. [25631]
Mr. Richards: Proposals for promoting relevant, high-quality further and higher education are an integral part of "People and Prosperity--An Agenda for Action in Wales". Wales will also participate in the forthcoming national inquiry into higher education, chaired by Sir Ron Dearing.
Strategic Development Schemes
Mr. Rowlands: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current annual cost to his Department of the administration of (a) the strategic development schemes and (b) European structural funds, Rechar funds and the European social fund; and how many staff, and at what grades, deal with such schemes and funds. [19355]
Mr. Gwilym Jones [holding answer 7 March 1996]: The information requested has been placed in the Library of the House.
DEFENCE
Remotely Piloted Vehicle (Llanbedr)
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 April, Official Report, column 97, if the Jindivik remotely piloted aerial target authorised to fly in the Llanbedr danger area on 6 January was fitted with a destruct feature; and if he will make a statement. [26691]
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Mr. Arbuthnot: This is a matter 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. Martin Redmond, dated 29 April 1996:
The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency to reply to your question, pursuant to that of 2 April, asking if the Jindivik remotely piloted aerial target authorised to fly at Llanbedr on 6 January was fitted with a destruct feature.
I can confirm that the Jindivik in question was fitted with a destruct feature.
I hope this is helpful.
Land Mines
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of anti-personnel land mines that his Department (a) currently holds and (b) will hold in 2000. [27022]
Mr. Arbuthnot [holding answer 26 April 1996]: It is our established policy for security reasons not to reveal information relating to stock levels of munitions held or planned. However, as stated by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis) on 23 April 1996, Official Report, column 84, we intend to reduce quantities by almost half as soon as practicable. This will be reflected in the quantity of anti-personnel mines held in 2000.
If either agreement has been reached for an international ban on all anti-personnel mines or suitable alternatives have been identified, we will commence destruction of our remaining anti-personnel mines accordingly. The total number of mines held in 2000 will therefore also depend on whether and when such developments occur.
Dr. Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what techniques his Department plans to us to dispose of anti-personnel land mines not classified as smart land mines. [27023]
Mr. Arbuthnot
[holding answer 26 April 1996]: No decision has been made on the method of destruction of surplus anti-personnel land mines. A decision will be made after assessment of the most cost-effective method which is consistent with safety and environmental protection.
Dr. Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to purchase new smart anti-personnel land mines; and from which countries. [27024]
Mr. Arbuthnot
[holding answer 26 April 1996]: As my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office stated in his announcement on 23 April 1996, Official Report, column 84, the United Kingdom will work actively towards a total worldwide ban on anti-personnel mines. If we need to replace our remaining anti-personnel mines before an international ban is agreed, we will procure only those with a self-destruct capability. No final decisions on the procurement of these mines, including a source, have been taken and any decision will take account of all relevant factors, including progress towards a total worldwide ban.
29 Apr 1996 : Column: 397
Dr. David Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Saxon vehicles have been deployed by his Department in Bosnia over the last three years.[26460]
Mr. Soames
[holding answer 23 April 1996]: A total of 65 Saxon vehicles were deployed to Bosnia in March 1994 with 1st Battalion the Duke of Wellington's regiment. These vehicles have remained in theatre with successive units though numbers have fluctuated in accordance with operational tasks. There are currently 75 Saxon vehicles in Bosnia with 1st Battalion the Queen's Lancashire regiment.
Dr. Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what off-road duties Saxon vehicles are used for; and if he will make a statement. [26459]
Mr. Soames
[holding answer 23 April 1996]: Saxon is a reliable troop-carrying vehicle which provides protected mobility between dismounted actions. It has a limited cross-country capability, and its use in operations, exercises and training reflects this.
Its capacity and protection make it an ideal vehicle for use by infantry in Bosnia, where the mine threat means that vehicles are forced to remain on tracks and roads. Units deploying with Saxon have generally been pleased with how well it has fared.
Dr. Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions on the use of certain mountain tracks in Bosnia were placed on Saxon vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [26457]
Mr. Soames
[holding answer 23 April 1996]: The use of different types of vehicle over particular terrain is a matter for the chain of command and military commanders on the ground. Guidance takes account of a number of factors including road, weather and operational conditions. All training throughout the deployment of British forces in Bosnia has stressed the importance of defensive driving and winter driving skills and these factors are constantly inculcated in all personnel.
Dr. Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what operational duties Saxon vehicles carried out in Bosnia. [26461]
Mr. Soames
[holding answer 23 April 1996]: The Saxon vehicle has carried out a wide range of operational duties with British forces in Bosnia. It continues to be employed on a variety of tasks including patrolling, escort duties, checkpoint protection and the movement of personnel and supplies.
Dr. Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many accidents involving Saxon vehicles have resulted in (a) deaths and (b) serious injury in the last three years; what were the dates of these accidents; what were the causes of these accidents; and on what dates the boards of inquiry sat to investigate each accident. [26455]
Mr. Soames
[holding answer 23 April 1996]: In the three calendar years until 31 December 1995, there were two fatal accidents involving Saxon vehicles, both from 1st Battalion the Royal Gloucestershire Berkshire and Wiltshire regiment--1RGBW. The first accident, in which one soldier, Private Benjamin Hinton, was unfortunately killed and three others were seriously
29 Apr 1996 : Column: 398
injured, occurred on 9 September 1994. The second accident, on 12 September 1994, resulted in the tragic death of three soldiers: Privates Phillip Armstrong, Martin Dowdell and Christopher Turner. Again, three others were seriously injured.
A board on inquiry to investigate both accidents was convened in Cyprus on 24 July 1995. The timing of the board of inquiry reflected the need for all police and other investigations to be completed first, and the completion of 1RGBW's tour in Bosnia in March 1995. In March 1995, 1RGBW moved temporarily to Catterick before transferring to Cyprus in May 1995. The board concluded that both accidents were caused by driver error.
Information relating to non-fatal accidents which resulted in serious injuries could not be provided without disproportionate cost.
Dr. Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department purchased Saxon vehicles; how many vehicles were purchased; and what was the total cost. [26458]
Mr. Soames
[holding answer 23 April 1996]: Two types of Saxon vehicles have been purchased: Saxon General War Role--GWR--in the early 1980s at a total cost of some £45 million for 527 vehicles; and Saxon Patrol between 1992 and 1994 at a total cost of some £25 million for 145 vehicles.
Dr. Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the boards of inquiry concerning fatalities resulting from Saxon crashes in Bosnia were provided with all the witnesses and documents relevant to the investigations. [26456]
Mr. Soames
[holding answer 23 April 1996]: The board of inquiry considered all the available documentation. It commented that certain types of documentation were not available to them. These documents were thought to have been lost during the roulement of units in Bosnia. It has now come to light that some of those missing documents had been sent to the coroner before the board of inquiry met. My Department is to ask that the documents be made available for examination as a matter of urgency to determine whether they may have any bearing on the accidents.
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