2 May 1996 : Column: 575
Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 2 May 1996
DUCHY OF LANCASTER
Risk Assessments
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will set out the arrangements for Departments to carry out risk assessments on new regulatory proposals. [28165]
Mr. Freeman: I am today publishing a new guidance booklet on regulatory appraisal incorporating risk assessment and am arranging for copies to be placed in the House Library. The new guide requires risk assessments to be carried out on all proposed regulations affecting business. As part of the regulatory appraisal procedure set out in the guide, Ministers will have to receive a risk assessment before deciding whether to introduce new regulations. Ministers must personally certify that they have read both the risk assessment and a compliance cost assessment in order to satisfy themselves that the benefits of the regulation justify its costs.
DEFENCE
Private Finance Initiative
Ms Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the revenue spending estimated by his Department in connection with the private financial initiative for (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97 and (c) 1997-98. [26625]
Mr. Arbuthnot: Spending by my Department on private finance initiative projects is predicted to be in the order of £10 million in 1996-97 and £20 million in 1997-98. No expenditure was incurred in 1995-96. This does not include staff costs and other departmental overheads associated with PFI projects.
Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research has been carried out by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down since 1990 into the cocktail of anti-nerve agents given to British Gulf war soldiers. [27647]
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.
2 May 1996 : Column: 576
Letter from John Chisholm to Dr. David Clark, dated 2 May 1996:
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking about research at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down since 1990 into the cocktail of anti-nerve agents given to British Gulf War soldiers. The Chemical & Biological Sector at Porton Down is now part of the Protection and Life Sciences Division of Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) of which I am the Chief Executive.
The only anti-nerve agent drug given to British service personnel during the Gulf conflict was the nerve agent pre-treatment set (NAPS) containing pyridostigmine. This was administered as a pre-treatment to minimise the impact of exposure to nerve agents.
In addition to the pre-treatment the post-poisoning therapy contained in self injector devices (Combopers) was issued to service personnel but was not administered. This therapy contains the drugs atropine, pralidoxime mesylate and Avizafone. The auto-injector is designed to be administered by the soldier himself or a comrade in the event that the individual shows the signs and symptoms of nerve agent poisoning.
Since 1990 the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down has carried out research involving the use of in-service medical countermeasures for nerve agent poisoning in two main areas. A study has been conducted in human volunteers to investigate single fibre electro myography (SFEMG) during and following the administration of pyridostigmine for a period of eight weeks. The individuals involved took NAPS tablets as directed at 8 hourly intervals for 8 weeks. These studies showed a very small change in the SFEMG during the administration which had no clinical significance. The SFEMG returned to the values determined prior to taking the NAPS tablets within seven days of termination of the administration of NAPS.
In the second type of study CBD Sector has placed extra mural research contracts with the Universities of Aston and Birmingham. The work has involved fundamental studies on antichloline sterases and included an examination of the effects of pyridostigmine. The work was conducted using rodent models and all the results will be reported in the open literature.
In addition to these two areas of work the in-service medical countermeasures have been used in animal studies as a positive control in the research being carried out to develop improved medical countermeasures against nerve agent poisoning.
I hope this information is helpful.
Gulf War Syndrome
Mr. Alfred Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what study his Department has made of the findings of recent research in the United States into the relationship between the multiple prescribing and use of drugs and subsequent unexplained illnesses among service men and women who served in the Gulf war; what further action he is taking; and if he will make a statement. [26895]
Mr. Soames: The research relating to possible interaction between drugs and chemicals used in the Gulf war, undertaken by Duke university, North Carolina, has not yet been published. The research team's report on its findings will be carefully considered by my Department when it becomes available.
"Statement on the Defence Estimates"
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to publish the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1996". [27648]
Mr. Soames: The 1996 "Statement on the Defence Estimates", Cm 3223, was published yesterday.
2 May 1996 : Column: 577
Soviet Submarines
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records his Department holds of the Soviet November class submarine carrying nuclear missiles which sank near Land's End in 1970; what measures his Department has taken to monitor the state of the missiles; what assessment he has made of the risks of radiation escaping from the submarine; and if he will make a statement. [27663]
Mr. Soames: The Soviet November class submarine lost in international waters outside the western approaches, on 12 April 1970, sank in deep water. It is assessed that the risk of radiation escaping from the submarine is minimal, and results from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's monitoring programme have shown no indication of contamination from this accident.
Dr. Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records his Department maintains of Soviet Union submarines which have sunk off the British coast over the last 30 years. [27662]
Mr. Soames: No Soviet Union submarines have sunk near the British coast.
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has evaluated about the Soviet November class submarine which sank in the western approaches to the United Kingdom on 12 April 1970; what action he has taken in relation to safety of naval vessels sailing in the vicinity; what representations have been made to the Soviet and Russian authorities in relation to compensation; what further action he proposes to take to protect United Kingdom interests; and if he will make a statement. [26708]
Mr. Soames [holding answer 25 April 1996]: The Soviet November class submarine lost in international waters outside the western approaches on 12 April 1970 sank in deep water and is not considered to be a hazard to vessels. This tragic loss is not a basis upon which compensation has been sought from Soviet or Russian authorities. It is assessed that the risk of radiation escaping from the submarine is minimal, and results from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food monitoring programme have shown no indication of contamination from this accident.
Territorial Army
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training days per year members of the Territorial Army have to serve in order to received their annual bounty. [27651]
Mr. Soames: Most members of the Territorial Army are required to complete 15 days camp training and 12 days out-of-camp training to qualify for bounty. Members of specialist units which recruit nationwide, and of certain pools of manpower, must complete 15 days camp training and four days out-of-camp training. A lower training obligation is available, with the consent of the commanding officer, to individuals whose personal or employment circumstances make it difficult for them to meet the full obligation. Special rules apply to the officers training corps and in certain other cases.
2 May 1996 : Column: 578
Dr. Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much call-out gratuity will be paid to members of the Territorial Army on their return from Bosnia. [27655]
Mr. Soames: No call-out gratuity will be paid to members of the Territorial Army on their return from Bosnia. Call-out gratuity is a lump sum of £345 which is paid on mobilisation to every reservist called out for service in support of operations in Bosnia.
Dr. Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Territorial Army called up for service in Bosnia in 1995 had not completed their annual training quota at the time of the call-up; if those personnel who had not yet completed their annual training quota were eligible for their annual bounty; and if he will make a statement. [27650]
Mr. Soames: Information on the level of training undertaken by each member of the Territorial Army before his or her call out in support of the peace implementation force is not immediately available. However, it is believed that the great majority would have attend annual camp, and that many would also have completed the required out of camp training. Those who had not done so were not eligible for bounty, as is explicitly provided in TA regulations.
Dr. Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if service on operational duties for members of the Territorial Army called up for service in Bosnia qualifies in lieu of the annual quota of training days required for an annual bounty; and if he will make a statement. [27652]
Mr. Soames: Reservists called out for permanent service receive pay at the full regular rate. Under current regulations, such service does not count towards annual bounty, which is earned through attendance at training. however, it has been agreed that members of the Territorial Army may count a period of called-out service in support of the peace implementation force in Bosnia in lieu of annual camp in the current training year or, in certain circumstances, the next one. It will be necessary for individuals to complete the remainder of their annual training before they qualify for bounty. These circumstances are being taken into account as the rules governing the payment of bounty are reviewed in the light of changes to be introduced by the Reserve Forces Bill.
Dr. Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if members of the Territorial Army called up for service in Bosnia will be required.to relinquish their service kit on completion of their service; what provisions have been made to ensure that they have civilian clothes to change into and travelling bags; and if he will make a statement. [27654]
Mr. Soames: Members of the Territorial Army returning from Bosnia on completion of their period of permanent service will be required, at the demobilisation centre, to hand in all extra items of clothing and equipment issued to them specifically for service in Bosnia. They will retain their standard kit for future use when training with their unit. On mobilisation, reservists were instructed to pack a set of civilian clothes, and they will be available to be worn after demobilisation. All reservists will be permitted to retain their travelling bags in order to carry their belongings home.
2 May 1996 : Column: 579
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |