House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 17 Jul 1996 (pt 6)

Residential Property

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account is taken of military rank or grade in the allocation of military tenants to MOD residential property consisting of detached single storey dwellings. [37561]

Mr. Soames: Military rank or grade is taken into account when allocating MOD residential property. This has no bearing, however, on whether the particular properties are detached and single storey in nature.

HMS Fearless and Intrepid

Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the replacement vessels for HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid will be constructed at the same time; and if he will make a statement; [36951]

(a)

(b)

Mr. Arbuthnot: A final decision has yet to be announced concerning the replacements for HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid. A construction programme is dependent upon an order being placed.

Dr. Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessments he has made of the cost of preparing HMS Intrepid to go to sea. [36952]

Mr. Arbuthnot: The cost of preparing HMS Intrepid for sea from her present material state would be some £1.5 million.

Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency

Mr. David Martin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the key targets for 1996-97 for the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency. [38313]

17 Jul 1996 : Column: 535

Mr. Soames: The chief executive of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency has been set the following key targets for 1996-97:

Key targets Performance output 1996-97

1. To develop and implement the full ABSDA IS strategy by:

(a) Implementing the IS strategy by initiating action to make changes to existing systems and to procure IT as appropriate. 31 March 1997

(b) Implement the full corporate MIS throughout ABSDA. (Subject to IS Strategy Study recommendations.) (31 March 1998)

2. Implement the outstanding DCS 10 recommendations:

(a) Handback of BAD Bracht site on schedule. 30 September 1996

(b) Closure of Vehicle Depot Ludgershall for operations on schedule. 31 March 1997

3. To meet targets for storage, maintenance and distribution and monitor progress towards achieving standards:

a. Stores Demands

Stores and Equipment. To meet the Standard Priority System (SPS) 96 Supply Chain Processing Times (SCPT) for material authorised for issue

(a) Immediate Priority--Operational Standard Priority Code (SPC) 1 99 per cent.

(b) High Priority--Operational SPC 2 98 per cent.

(c) Medium Priority--Operational SPC 3 97 per cent.

(d) Routine Priority--Operational SPC 4 95 per cent.

(e) Immediate Priority--Non Operational SPC 5 99 per cent.

(f) High Priority--Non Operational SPC 6 98 per cent.

(g) Medium Priority--Non Operational SPC 7 97 per cent.

(h) Routine Priority--Non Operational SPC 8 95 per cent.

(Operational demands take precedence over all other demands in SPC order)

Ammunition

To meet the required Delivery date 99.8 per cent.

Vehicles

(a) Immediate Priority 96 per cent.

(b) High Priority 94 per cent.

(c) Medium Priority 92 per cent.

(d) Routine Demands 90 per cent.

Petroleum

(a) Bulk Fuel 95 per cent.

(b) Packed Fuel and Oils/Lubs 95 per cent.

b. To Maintain, repair, refurbish and modify Army ammunition to levels of service agreed with DLSA:

Maintenance

(a) Completion by target 97 per cent.

(b) Completion within target cost 92 per cent.

(c) Completion to specified quality 98 per cent.

Surveillance

(a) Initial acceptance--within 4 weeks of receipt 100 per cent.

(b) Specials--within target date set by DLSA 97 per cent.

Proofing

Completion to specified quality standard and target dates 96 per cent.

4. To deliver special to task and on the job training for Land Command Units Employed in the Base (LUEB).

(a) To maintain operational and military preparedness. Pass OPEVAL to satisfactory standard.

(b) To provide training for all soldiers to Army Training Directives (ATD) levels. Pass OPEVAL to satisfactory standard.

5. To complete the activities and achieve the results laid down in the ABSDA TQ Strategy for each year between 1996-97 to 1998-99.

(a) 100 per cent. of all managers to be trained. 31 October 1996

(b) All staff to have been trained and operating the Total Quality Leadership process. Mechanisms to be in place to train new employees.(31 March 1998)

(c) ABSDA TQ to have a positive impact on our customers such that they have an increasing satisfaction and confidence in ABSDA and the Agency confirmed as their preferred supplier. (31 March 1999)

6. To complete a Competing for Quality (CFQ) programme of ABSDA business.

(a) Stores Division. (31 June 1998)

(b) Ammunition Division. (31 December 1997)

(c) Base Vehicle Depot Ashchurch. (31 August 1997)

7. Deliver required efficiencies according to DG Log Sp(A)'s Efficiency Plany. 2.5 per cent.

Key targets	Performance output 1996-97
1. To develop and implement the full ABSDA IS strategy by:
(a) Implementing the IS strategy by initiating action to make changes to existing systems and to procure IT as appropriate.	31 March 1997
(b) Implement the full corporate MIS throughout ABSDA. (Subject to IS Strategy Study recommendations.)	(31 March 1998)

2. Implement the outstanding DCS 10 recommendations:
(a) Handback of BAD Bracht site on schedule.	30 September 1996
(b) Closure of Vehicle Depot Ludgershall for operations on schedule.	31 March 1997

3. To meet targets for storage, maintenance and distribution and monitor progress towards achieving standards:
a. Stores Demands
Stores and Equipment. To meet the Standard Priority System (SPS) 96 Supply Chain Processing Times (SCPT) for material authorised for issue
(a) Immediate Priority--Operational Standard Priority Code (SPC) 1	99 per cent.
(b) High Priority--Operational SPC 2	98 per cent.
(c) Medium Priority--Operational SPC 3	97 per cent.
(d) Routine Priority--Operational SPC 4	95 per cent.
(e) Immediate Priority--Non Operational SPC 5	99 per cent.
(f) High Priority--Non Operational SPC 6	98 per cent.
(g) Medium Priority--Non Operational SPC 7	97 per cent.
(h) Routine Priority--Non Operational SPC 8	95 per cent.
(Operational demands take precedence over all other demands in SPC order)

Ammunition
To meet the required Delivery date	99.8 per cent.

Vehicles
(a) Immediate Priority	96 per cent.
(b) High Priority	94 per cent.
(c) Medium Priority	92 per cent.
(d) Routine Demands	90 per cent.

Petroleum
(a) Bulk Fuel	95 per cent.
(b) Packed Fuel and Oils/Lubs	95 per cent.

b. To Maintain, repair, refurbish and modify Army ammunition to levels of service agreed with DLSA:

Maintenance
(a) Completion by target	97 per cent.
(b) Completion within target cost	92 per cent.
(c) Completion to specified quality	98 per cent.

Surveillance
(a) Initial acceptance--within 4 weeks of receipt	100 per cent.
(b) Specials--within target date set by DLSA	97 per cent.

Proofing
Completion to specified quality standard and target dates	96 per cent.
4. To deliver special to task and on the job training for Land Command Units Employed in the Base (LUEB).
(a) To maintain operational and military preparedness.	Pass OPEVAL to satisfactory standard.
(b) To provide training for all soldiers to Army Training Directives (ATD) levels.	Pass OPEVAL to satisfactory standard.

5. To complete the activities and achieve the results laid down in the ABSDA TQ Strategy for each year between 1996-97 to 1998-99.
(a) 100 per cent. of all managers to be trained.	31 October 1996
(b) All staff to have been trained and operating the Total Quality Leadership process. Mechanisms to be in place to train new employees.(31 March 1998)
(c) ABSDA TQ to have a positive impact on our customers such that they have an increasing satisfaction and confidence in ABSDA and the Agency confirmed as their preferred supplier.	(31 March 1999)

6. To complete a Competing for Quality (CFQ) programme of ABSDA business.
(a) Stores Division.	(31 June 1998)
(b) Ammunition Division.	(31 December 1997)
(c) Base Vehicle Depot Ashchurch.	(31 August 1997)

7. Deliver required efficiencies according to DG Log Sp(A)'s Efficiency Plany.	2.5 per cent.

17 Jul 1996 : Column: 536

Devonport Dockyard

Mr. Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances the United States Government have powers to commandeer assets owned by Brown and Root at Devonport dockyard. [37606]

Mr. Arbuthnot [holding answer 16 July 1996]: None.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Taxi Fares

Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on meeting the costs of taxi cab fares in the 1995-96 financial year. [36008]

Mr. Hanley: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

University of Oman

Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which officials of Her Majesty's Government were invited to be present at the opening of the university in Oman; and on what date the opening ceremonies took place. [36611]

Mr. Hanley: The Sultan Qaboos university in Muscat was officially opened on 9 November 1986 by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. We have no details of who was invited to attend or who was present at the opening ceremony.

17 Jul 1996 : Column: 537

Gulf War

Mr. Rogers: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the work of the United Nations Compensation Commission since the Gulf war, with numbers of claims received in each category and funds accumulated in all accounts; and if he will make a statement on the work of the panels of commissioners, with particular reference to British claims. [37511]

Mr. Hanley: The United Nations Compensation Commission in Geneva was established in 1991. More than 2.6 million claims with an estimated asserted value of more than $180 billion have been submitted, and almost 2.2 million of these have already been assessed. Claims have been submitted by individuals, corporations and Governments.

Her Majesty's Government have forwarded 4,990 claims from 3,418 claimants. These claims are broken down into the following categories:

Type of claim Total number of claims received by UNCC Total number of claims submitted by UK Value of UK claims in US$

Category A 922,796 1,148 4,035,000

Category B 5,949 258 710,000

Category C 417,557 2,746 122,907,312

Egyptian Bank transfer claims 1.24 million

Category D 9,673 381 133,253,256

Category E 6,455 457 1,189,325,112

Category F 212 1 11,237,641

Totals 2,602,642 4,990 US$ 1,461,468,321

Type of claim	Total number of claims received by UNCC	Total number of claims submitted by UK	Value of UK claims in US$
Category A	922,796	1,148	4,035,000
Category B	5,949	258	710,000
Category C	417,557	2,746	122,907,312
Egyptian Bank transfer claims	1.24 million
Category D	9,673	381	133,253,256
Category E	6,455	457	1,189,325,112
Category F	212	1	11,237,641

Totals	2,602,642	4,990	US$ 1,461,468,321

All category B claims have been assessed and full payment made.

The assessment of all category A claims will be completed by October this year. The next instalment of British category C claims are expected to be approved by the governing council in December this year, with the remainder to be completed by the end of 1997.

The UNCC is hoping to set up panels of commissioners this summer to start work on categories D, E and F.

As at 20 September 1995, the compensation fund had $31,151,700 available to meet running costs and payment of claims; 30 per cent. of the revenue under Security Council resolution 986 will be paid to the UNCC enabling it to make at least interim payments on approved A and C awards.

17 Jul 1996 : Column: 538

Parliamentary Questions

Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) pursuant to his answer of 22 March, Official Report, column 386, about parliamentary questions, what method would be used by his Department in collating the information requested; [37541]

Official Report

796

Mr. Hanley: The examination of more than 23,000 documents dating back to 1989.

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