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Challenger 2 Programme
Mr. David Martin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current status of the Army's Challenger 2 programme; and if he will make a statement. [194]
Mr. Portillo:
The Challenger 2 development programme was successfully completed, with all reliability targets achieved on development tanks.
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Following a series of trials on early production tanks we identified a need to improve the reliability of some of the elements of production vehicles to meet the very high standards set. An agreed programme to achieve this is being undertaken by the contractor, Vickers plc, at no additional cost to my Department. Central to the programme is a sequence of production reliability growth trials with agreed technical milestones.
The company has met the requirements set in the first of those trials, which was held in July. Challenger 2 has already demonstrated an impressive capability. I am confident that Challenger 2 will fully meet all our technical and reliability requirements in 1997. In order to ensure that the comprehensive logistic support arrangements that we require are properly established, I have agreed that the in-service date for Challenger 2 will be June 1998.
Social Services Conference
Mr. Sykes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of his speech to the social services conference in Edinburgh on 18 October and of the two documents whose publication he announced on that occasion; and if he will make a statement. [83]
Mr. Burns: In his speech on 18 October, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced the publication of a consultation document on setting the standards of conduct and practice for social services staff, entitled "The Obligations of Care". Copies are being sent out to interested parties this week. Comments have been requested by 28 February 1997.
My right hon. Friend also announced the publication of Tom Burgner's report on his review of the regulation and inspection of social services, and gave the Government's initial response to it. Copies are being sent to interested parties this week. The Government intend to publish a White Paper on social services in January next year, and some more detailed responses to the Burgner recommendations will be given then. Meanwhile, we shall be initiating the necessary further consultations on particular issues with the relevant interests, whom we shall be approaching direct in due course.
Copies of both documents and of the speech have been placed in the Library.
Mr. French:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he proposes to establish a partnership scheme for long-term care. [389]
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Mr. Dorrell:
The Government remain committed to the proposals for a partnership scheme set out in the consultation paper "A New Partnership for Care in Old Age", copies of which are available in the Library. In the light of responses to the consultation paper, they also intend to legislate to allow residents in care homes to "top up" the care arranged by their local authorities.
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