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DEFENCE

ASTOR Project

Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the ASTOR project, with special reference to the employment implications and the timetable of the contract. [1922]

Mr. Spellar: Two contractors, Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon E-Systems, have completed competitive Project Definition studies. Invitations for Best and Final Offers for the Full Development and Production phase are being prepared, and we expect to issue them shortly. Both Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon have set up UK-based subsidiaries to carry out ASTOR work, and both are supported by UK sub-contractors. They have both offered UK industrial participation packages amounting to 100 per cent. of the contract value, over half of which

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work will be directly related to the ASTOR programme. Any export sales of the ASTOR system would further enhance employment prospects in the UK.

Consideration of the companies' detailed industrial participation proposals will form part of the assessment of the companies' Best and Final Offers.

Monkeys

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many monkeys died (a) during 1996 and (b) in 1997 to date in his Department's research establishments. [2396]

Mr. Spellar: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 11 June 1997:


National Service

Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from ex-national service men regarding recognition for their role between 1947 and 1963; and if he will make a statement. [2142]

Mr. Spellar: The Ministry of Defence has received and replied to in excess of 50 representations from ex-National Servicemen, particularly through their constituency MPs, on a variety of subjects relating to their service to the Nation in the post-war years.

Their concerns have included the provision of a memorial to those who performed National Service, the institution of a new medal, pensions, and the formation of a Veterans' Affairs Unit.

On memorials, I have indicated that in the event that funding by private donation or public subscription for a memorial were to be found, my Department would be happy to assist in identifying a suitable site and to provide representation at any dedication ceremony.

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Auxiliary Oiler Contract

Mr. Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what (a) detailed and (b) major changes his Department has sought to make to the design of ships under the Auxiliary Oiler contract; what was the cost to the Ministry of Defence of such changes; and what measures have been taken to ensure that costs do not escalate on the contract; [2850]

Mr. Spellar: The MOD has not sought any detailed or major design changes to the vessels to be procured under the Auxiliary Oiler (AO) contract. The Prime Contractor, VSEL, is designing the vessel to the agreed contract specification and price. The AO contract is currently on schedule and to cost.

Flight Data Recorders

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will reconsider his Department's policy on the fitting of flight data recorders to military aircraft. [2550]

Mr. Spellar: It is our policy to fit all new aircraft with flight data recorders. Retrofits are considered on a case-by-case basis taking account of service life remaining, aircraft safety record, cost and operational limitations. We have no plans to change this policy.

Data recorders have already been fitted to the following in-service aircraft fleets: Harrier GR7/T10, Hawk, Lynx, Nimrod, Sentry, Tornado F3, Tornado GR1, Tristar, Tucano and VC10 C1. Retrofit programmes are planned for the BAe 125, BAe 146, Chinook, Lynx, Puma, Sea King and VC10 K fleets; installation into the Jaguar and Sea Harrier/Harrier T4 fleets is under consideration.

Military Personnel (Attached Duties)

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel are currently on attached duties with foreign military forces; and which countries are involved. [2394]

Dr. John Reid: As a country with significant overseas interests and global responsibilities, the UK provides support and assistance, to a wide variety of Organisations and foreign Armed forces. The numbers vary from time to time. However according to available records, on 1 June this year there were 749 UK Service personnel on attached duties with the following countries:


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In addition there were 1,883 UK Service personnel attached to NATO Headquarters and Agencies in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal and Turkey. There were also 7 Service personnel attached to the United Nations Headquarters in New York, 6 attached to the WEU Headquarters in Belgium, and 4 attached to the Five Power Defence Arrangements Integrated Air Defence System Headquarters in Malaysia.

The above figures do no include UK Service personnel who are deployed overseas but are not attached to foreign military forces, for example Service personnel working in our Embassies, UK forces deployed on UN operations, or our forces deployed on coalition operations in the Gulf or in Former Yugoslavia.

Parachute Training Systems

Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which private companies have formal arrangements or are permit holders with the MOD for the exploitation of the British Army Training and Parachute Training Systems. [2780]

Mr. Spellar: MOD's only extant licence for parachute training equipment relates to a parachute training mat and is held by Recticel Sutcliffe Ltd. MOD has several licences for other training equipment, but those are not related to parachute training and are mainly in the field of computer software.

Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities are available to Sector Ltd.; and whether it is the only company to have a formal

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agreement with the UK Defence Secretary which permits the exploitation of British Army Training and Parachute Training Systems. [2782]

Mr. Spellar: Sector Ltd. does not hold a current licence for the exploitation of British Army parachute training items. The company terminated its previous licence by joint agreement on 8 May 1997 after many years in which no sales under the licence were reported to MOD. Accordingly, no special facilities are currently available to Sector Ltd. They will be accorded the same treatment as any other company approaching MOD for access to its facilities. No other company has been licensed by MOD to exploit the parachute training items formerly licensed to Sector Ltd.

Tactica Armoured Vehicles

Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tactica armoured vehicles have been purchased by his Department; which type of weapons are fitted to the vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [2784]

Mr. Spellar: My Department has purchased 35 Tactica armoured vehicles. The vehicles have no offensive capability and are not fitted with weapons.

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