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RAF Accident Investigation
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made to the procedures and regulations governing Royal Air Force accident investigation and the role of senior officers in relation to board of inquiry findings since June 1994. [17989]
Mr. Soames: The following changes have taken place since June 1994:
- (a) The minimum rank of the president of a board of inquiry into an aircraft accident has been raised from Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader.
- (b) The role of the relevant Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the investigation has been titled "Reviewing Authority" (it was previously untitled).
- (c) Assessment of the degree of negligence has been transferred from the president of the board of inquiry to the convening and reviewing authorities.
- (d) An intermediate degree of negligence has been introduced, such that negligence is now described as "minor", "major" or "gross".
- (e) Differences in the rules on representation at boards of inquiry for service men and service women were removed.
- (f) Persons affected were given the right to make a further statement if the degree of negligence attributed by one authority was increased by another.
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West Indian Guardship
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to public funds of the West Indian guardship for the year 1996. [17961]
Mr. Soames: The cost of the West Indies guardship for the year 1996 was £7.22 million. Her associated Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker was provided at a cost of £2.38 million.
Civilian Affairs Units
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian affairs units are established in the field Army; how many personnel are assigned to these units; and what are his plans to expand or establish additional units for this role. [17986]
Mr. Soames: A civil affairs group is currently being established. This will comprise of four Regular and 50 Territorial Army specialists. There are currently no plans to establish additional units.
Scimitars (Parachute Dropping)
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects approval to be given for parachute dropping of Scimitar CVR(T) vehicles from RAF Hercules aircraft; and if he will list the locations where parachute dropping of Scimitars will be permitted. [17988]
Mr. Soames: There has been no capability for the parachute dropping of Scimitar CVR(T)s since the mid-70s. However, approval for the dropping of Scimitars from RAF Hercules aircraft has been granted for the purposes of trials of a re-engineered parachute delivery system for heavy equipment. The trial drop zone locations are all within the Larkhill/Salisbury plain military training area. The trials are due to conclude later this year. Subject to a satisfactory outcome, the equipment will be dropped on routine airborne exercises at locations judged technically and operationally suitable.
Visual Air-to-air Training
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current weather minima for visual air-to-air training by Royal Air Force Tornado F3 aircraft at less than 5,000 feet above ground level, in terms of (a) discernibility of the horizon, (b) in-flight visibility, (c) cloud ceiling and (d) vertical and horizontal separation from cloud; and if he will list changes made to these criteria in the last five years. [17992]
Mr. Soames:
The current weather minima for visual air-to-air training by Royal Air Force Tornado F3 aircraft at less than 5,000 ft above ground level are that (a) there are clear visual meteorological conditions enabling pilots to orientate themselves; (b) there is a minimum in-flight visibility of 5,000 overland and 8,000 over sea; (c) any cloud base is no lower than 1,500 ft; and (d) the pilot is able to maintain 1,500 m horizontal and 1,000 ft vertical separation from cloud. There have been no changes to these criteria in the past five years.
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Sir Julian Critchley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the (a) political and (b) strategic advantages of the extension of NATO to include the states of Eastern Europe. [17977]
Mr. Soames:
The study on NATO enlargement, published by the Alliance in September 1995, concluded that political and strategic benefits would result from extending membership of NATO to European states. We continue to support that conclusion.
Mr. Foulkes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many media units are established in the field Army; how many personnel are assigned to these units; and what are his plans to expand or establish additional units for this role. [17985]
Mr. Soames:
Although there are no units established for this specific purpose, 87 military and civilian staff are currently providing support to media operations within the Army. This number may increase to reflect the current level of operational commitments.
Mr. Foulkes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the minimum vertical and horizontal separation distances between intercepting aircraft and their targets when conducting visual practice interceptions of (a) other fast jet aircraft, (b) military transport aircraft, (c) civil transport aircraft and (d) helicopters. [17991]
| Type | MSD(2) (feet) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Fast jet target | 1,000 | MSD becomes 500 feet if closing for simulated gun attack astern of target. |
| Military transport aircraft | 1,000 | -- |
| Civil transport target | See remark | Standard civil air traffic minimum separation requirements of 1,000 feet vertically and 3 nautical miles (nm) horizontally apply |
| Helicopter target | 1,000 | -- |
(2) Minimum separation distance.
School Armouries and Firing Ranges
Ms Armstrong: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by the Ministry of Defence since 1984 on school armouries and firing ranges on school grounds; and if he will list the cost and name of each school involved. [17884]
Mr. Soames: I regret that the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Ministerial Meetings (Hong Kong)
Mr. Byers:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what official meetings he held during his recent visit to Hong Kong; and when he (a) arrived and (b) departed.[18352]
3 Mar 1997 : Column: 488
Mr. Portillo:
During my visit to Hong Kong I met the Governor, the Commander British Forces and a wide range of personnel from the garrison. I arrived at 08.50 on 26 February, and departed at 19.30 the same day.
Mr. Barry Field:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the minimum age requirements enforced by his Department. [15923]
Mr. Soames:
For service personnel, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 30 January, Official Report, columns 348-49. The minimum age of recruitment for civilians is the school leaving age of 16.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his Department's latest assessment of the capability of Russia to destroy safely its stockpile of chemical weapons; [18280]
Mr. Soames:
The Russian Federation signed the chemical weapons convention in the full knowledge of the destruction timetable it would be obliged to meet under the terms of the convention. However, Russia has yet to ratify the convention and, until it does so, it is not bound by these provisions. Although Russian fulfilment of these obligations is feasible, some technical difficulties are still to be overcome. The Russians also claim that they would not be able to do so due to financial and environmental problems, and continue to press for outside financial assistance. The UK believes it is for the Russian Government to resolve these difficulties. Early ratification of the CWC and full implementation of its provisions, may, however, help to secure financial assistance from the outside.
(2) what is his Department's latest assessment of the capability of the United States of America to destroy safely its stockpile of chemical weapons. [18279]
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