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Defence Review
15. Mr. Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the result of his defence policy review; and if he will make a statement.[2055]
Mr. George Robertson: I expect the Strategic Defence Review to be completed around the turn of the year. I will make a statement to the House as soon as practicable thereafter.
19. Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has had from the defence-related industries about his proposed defence review. [2059]
Mr. Robertson: I have received a number of letters from Defence Trade Associations, companies and individuals offering inputs into the Strategic Defence Review.
23. Mr. Martin Bell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Government's strategic defence review and its impact on the welfare of service families. [2064]
Dr. Reid: The Strategic Defence Review will decide how our Armed Forces should be structured, equipped and deployed to meet our nation's interests and commitments. Decisions will take full account of the implications for the welfare of Service personnel and their families.
27. Mr. Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely impact of his strategic review on defence procurement. [2068]
Mr. Robertson: The Strategic Defence Review will ensure the Armed Forces are properly equipped to undertake the tasks we ask of them. The Government are also committed to a strong British defence industry as a strategic part of our industrial base as well as our defence effort. There will be no moratorium and business will proceed as normally as possible. Decisions on major equipment programmes not yet under contract will be considered on their individual circumstances and in relation to progress with the Review. Projects already under contract will continue.
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his forthcoming Defence Review will be based on the assumption of unchanged expenditure plans. [2061]
Mr. Robertson:
The Strategic Defence Review will be foreign policy led rather than driven by resources. The Government are committed to the spending plans already laid down for the next two years.
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16. Mr. Hutton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals the Government have to improve co-operation with the United Kingdom defence industry. [2056]
Mr. Spellar:
A strong industry is necessary to a strong defence. Co-operation between the Ministry of Defence and defence industry is already close, for example through the National Defence Industries Council, through conferences on future requirements and in many other ways. The Government intend that such co-operation should continue and improve.
17. Mr. McAllion:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking towards the elimination of nuclear weapons. [2057]
Dr. Reid:
We have already made clear our commitment to the goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons and to press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons. We will be examining how best to implement that commitment, particularly in the context of the Strategic Defence Review.
32. Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of nuclear weapons which are vulnerable to an early strike; and if he will make a statement. [2073]
Dr. Reid:
In current circumstances, the risk of any attack on our nuclear forces is very low. The invulnerability of our deterrent submarines when deployed at sea ensures that our nuclear forces are safe from attack in a crisis.
18. Mr. Miller:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the West Indies guard ship. [2058]
Dr. Reid:
As I know my hon. Friend is aware from his visit as a member of the Armed Forces parliamentary scheme the West Indies Guard Ship together with her Royal Fleet auxiliary tanker, provide support to our Dependent Territories and other UK interests in the region. They carry out a range of tasks, including contributing to the international fight against drug trafficking, disaster relief, goodwill visits and training for Caribbean forces.
20. Mr. Barnes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the role of United Kingdom troops in the former Yugoslavia. [2060]
Mr. George Robertson:
British troops are continuing to make a most effective and widely respected contribution to the multinational stabilisation force mission to implement the Dayton Peace Agreement.
22. Mr. Clifton-Brown:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs will come to the United
16 Jun 1997 : Column: 79
Kingdom during the next five years as a result of the manufacture and deployment of the European fighter aircraft. [2063]
Mr. Spellar:
Currently there are about 6,000 high technology jobs sustained by the development phase of the Eurofighter programme in the UK. This figure is expected to rise to about 14,000 at the peak of production.
24. Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications of the new accord between NATO and Russia. [2065]
Mr. George Robertson:
The Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Co-operation and Security between NATO and the Russian Federation was signed in Paris on 27 May by the Heads of State and Government of NATO and Russia. It provides the foundation for co-operation, openness and consultation between the North Atlantic Alliance and Russia across a wide range of security issues of common interest. The Government welcome the Act and look forward to building on that foundation.
30. Caroline Flint:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress towards NATO enlargement. [2071]
Mr. Robertson:
The NATO Summit on 8 and 9 July will invite one or more countries of Central and Eastern Europe to begin negotiations for accession to NATO membership, and will reaffirm the Alliance's continuing willingness in future to consider taking in countries which share its principles and can contribute to European security. The Alliance will decide collectively, nearer the Summit, which countries should receive invitations.
25. Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the future large aircraft. [2066]
Mr. Spellar:
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 2 June, Official Report, column 13.
28. Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce an order for production of Eurofighter. [2069]
Mr. Spellar:
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) on 9 June 1997, Official Report, columns 353-54.
29. Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the programme to introduce IT for the three armed services. [2070]
Mr. Spellar:
There are comprehensive programmes for the introduction of Information Technology into Armed Services. The Joint Command Systems Initiative is being developed to provide a tri-Service framework for future
16 Jun 1997 : Column: 80
Command, Control and Intelligence systems which are interoperable with those of our Allies. In addition, each of the Armed Services has an approved strategy for the introduction of Information Technology. These strategies are designed to ensure that Information Technology contributes to the effective conduct of Joint and single-Service operations and improved efficiency. This is achieved by the adoption of common management and technical standards, designed to improve interoperability between the equipment of the three Services and our Allies. Moreover, a comprehensive range of training in Information Technology has been developed to meet the requirements of the three Services.
31. Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new proposals he has to release land presently used by the services for alternative environmental purposes. [2072]
Mr. Spellar:
My Department continually reviews the size of the Defence estate to ensure that it is no larger than necessary to meet the essential requirements of the Armed Forces. Our policy is to dispose of surplus property in a timely manner which takes into account the Government's wider employment and environmental objectives, local planning and social considerations, and the need to protect the taxpayers' interests.
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