| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Computers (Millennium)
Mr. Ingram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32677]
Mr. Horam: Preliminary analysis of the Department of Health's own mainframe computer systems has already been undertaken to assess the likely impact of the change of millennium. A further more detailed analysis is to be carried out during 1996-97 fully to assess the impact and likely cost of the change.
DEFENCE
Army Courts Martial
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army courts martial were convened each year since 1979. [32551]
Mr. Soames: Details of courts martial prior to 1990 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The number of individuals tried by Army courts martial convened since 1990 are as follows:
1990: 930
1991: 707
1992: 780
1993: 688
1994: 594
1995: 440.
13 Jun 1996 : Column: 242
Mormond Hill Radar Base
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for his Department's former radar base at Mormond Hill, near Fraserborough; what public consultation will take place; and if he will make a statement. [32758]
Mr. Soames: I have nothing to add to the answers which I gave on 16 April, Official Report, columns 458-59.
Gordon Foxley
Mr. David Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about steps to reclaim moneys from the companies involved in the payment of commissions to Gordon Foxley relating to defence contracts. [33235]
Mr. Arbuthnot: A satisfactory settlement has been concluded with one of the companies concerned, Raufoss AS of Norway, under which the company will pay an agreed sum in redress to my Department, including interest and a contribution to costs, for payments made contrary to contractual conditions.
A statement of contrition by the company, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, forms part of the agreement with the Ministry of Defence. We have decided that in the light of this agreement the company will become eligible to be considered for Ministry of Defence orders, although normal commercial relations will not be resumed for some months during which period we shall monitor the operation of the agreement.
Discussions are taking place with the other companies involved in the Foxley case, against whom proceedings are still in train.
Mr. Colvin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use has been made in the past of thermal identity beacons for military vehicles; if he will make a statement on the new requirement for such beacons in future, purchase No. ASIC/31 of the MOD contracts bulletin volume 10 No. 16; and if such beacons are in use with other NATO forces. [30784]
Mr. Arbuthnot:
No use has been made of thermal identity beacons for military vehicles in the past. The new requirement, outlined in MOD "Contracts Bulletin" volume 10 No. 16, is for the United Kingdom contingent of The NATO implementation force--IFOR No. 16 in Bosnia and is being procured to reduce the risk of friendly fire. The beacons are not in use with other NATO forces but we intend to share the technology with other IFOR nations.
Mr. Colvin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the advantages of (a) leasing and (b) using the private finance initiative in relation to the supply of self-loading dump trucks for the Royal Engineers as set out in tender No. EM and D1A/155 of the MOD "Contract Bulletin" volume 10 No. 16. [30785]
13 Jun 1996 : Column: 243
Mr. Arbuthnot:
Self-loading dump trucks to meet the specific military requirement of the Royal Engineers are not currently available for lease on the commercial market. No assessment was made of the advantages of using the private finance initiative for this specific requirement.
A study commissioned by the Procurement Executive is currently under way to examine the potential for greater private sector/private finance involvement in the management and supply for future requirements of this type. The study will not be complete in time to influence this procurement because the existing fleet has reached the end of its economic life and requires replacement now. Recommendations of the study will be carefully considered for future requirements.
Dr. David Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the quantity of fuel purchased by his Department for allocation to the Royal Navy fleet in each of the last five years. [32647]
Mr. Arbuthnot:
The full information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Such information as is available is as follows:
| Financial year 1994-95 | Financial year 1995-96 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| DIESO F76(4) | 405 | 330 | Naval fuel for ships |
| AVCAT F44(4) | 36 | 20 | Naval fuel for aircraft |
| Marine gas oil | 55 | Not held | Commercially supplied fuel for ships |
(4) These fuels are produced by refineries to specific NATO standards.
Royal Navy (Exercises)
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in how many exercises the Royal Nay has taken part in each of the last 10 years. [32648]
Mr. Soames: Royal Navy exercises range in scale from very small activities involving individual elements of establishments, units or ships, to participation in major tri-service and international exercises.
Details of all of the various exercises in which the Royal Navy has participated in some form over the last 10 years are not held centrally, and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Army Equipment
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Army's battlefield equipment reliability return in each of the last three years for (a) Warrior vehicles, (b) Challenger tanks and (c) the multiple-launch rocket system. [32649]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The information requested is classified and cannot be released.
13 Jun 1996 : Column: 244
Clansman Radio System
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of spare parts for the Clansman radio system in each of the last three years. [32650]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The cost of spare parts for Clansman for each of the last three years was as follows:
1993-94: £9.8 million
1994-95: £10.7 million
1995-96: £10.3 million.
EH101 Merlin Helicopter
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current estimated total cost of the EH101 Merlin helicopter; what was the original total estimated cost of the helicopter at current prices; what was the original in-service date and what is its current estimated in-service date; and if he will make a statement. [32651]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The current estimated total cost of the EH1O1/Merlin programme is £4,307 million. The prime contractor is Lockheed-Martin-ASIC.
The estimated total cost, at current prices, when the Main Production Contract--MPC--was awarded was £3,922 million.
The in-service date agreed when the MPC was awarded was December 1998 and this has not changed.
Dr. David Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his American counterpart to allow British companies greater access to American markets; and if he will make a statement. [32653]
Mr. Arbuthnot:
Regular discussions are held at all levels with the US Administration and Congress to convey Her Majesty's Government's concerns regarding the level of access that United Kingdom companies have to the American defence market. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has raised this issue with Dr. Perry on two occasions this year and during my visit to the United States last month I discussed this subject with a number of senior officials.
Mr. Ingram:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the cost effects of the millennium date change on the computer systems operated by his Department. [32670]
Mr. Arbuthnot:
The capability of MOD's existing computer systems to recognise the millennium date change is under investigation and will be the subject of MOD-wide guidance requiring those responsible for current and planned information systems to assess fully the extent of the problem. Until this is known, it will not be possible to assess the cost effects of the year 2000 date change.
13 Jun 1996 : Column: 245
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |