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Records
Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will open for public inspection the file with the classmark AIR 2/16857 at the Public Record Office. [10949]
Mr. Spellar:
AIR 2/16857 has recently been reviewed as part of the Ministry of Defence's on-going review of records closed for more than 30 years. Sensitivity having lapsed sufficiently, arrangements are at an advanced stage to transfer the file into the custody of the Public Record Office.
29 Jul 1997 : Column: 182
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the court martial of Brigadier Michael Calvert. [10941]
Dr. Reid:
Major Calvert was tried by general court martial in Hanover in July 1952. He was found guilty of three charges relating to indecency and was dismissed from Her Majesty's service. The case was subsequently referred to the Court Martial Appeal Court, at which Major Calvert was represented by Queen's Counsel. The appeal was dismissed on 11 May 1953.
Dr. Julian Lewis:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances his Department has made bookings abroad for Royal Navy submarine crews via private travel agencies; and if such arrangements have been made in respect of Trident submarine crews. [10315]
Dr. Reid:
When accommodation is required abroad for visiting submarine crews, including those of Trident submarines, arrangements are usually made through selected private travel agencies. An individual posing as a naval officer recently obtained unauthorised information from one such agency in Faslane. The incident was reported to the appropriate authorities and is being investigated.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for phasing out conventional submarines; and over what time scale.[10996]
Dr. Reid:
We have no conventional submarines in service. The withdrawal from service of the RN's most recent class of conventional submarine, the Upholder class, was completed in 1994. The Royal Navy's submarine flotilla currently comprises 12 Swiftsure and Trafalgar class nuclear-powered submarines.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what present military deployments are as a result of international treaty obligations; and if these deployments form part of the strategic defence review;[10998]
Dr. Reid:
The strategic defence review is being conducted in accordance with the policies set out in the Government's election manifesto, including continuing co-operation with the United States, our European allies and other like-minded nations, and security built on the principle of collective defence. No United Kingdom forces are currently deployed on operations as a result of international treaty obligations. All deployments will, however, be examined during the review.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests will be conducted on animals during his Department's research into Gulf war syndrome; and which animals will be tested. [11000]
29 Jul 1997 : Column: 183
Dr. Reid:
A document outlining the strategy of the research and a proposed work programme has been drafted by CBD Porton Down. The programme of work has yet to be agreed with MOD and, therefore, it is not yet possible to detail precisely the tests that will be conducted using animals.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 21 July, Official Report, column 401, what is the current cost of the reserve forces, by type. [11023]
Dr. Reid:
The information for financial year 1996-97 is in the table. These figures exclude provision for those items whose costs cannot be identified separately from those purchased for the regular services.
(2) what treaty obligations are exempt from the strategic defence review. [10938]
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| Cost | |
| Royal Fleet Reserve | 0.04 |
| Royal Naval Reserve | 17.51 |
| Royal Marines Reserve | 8.33 |
| Army Reserve | 0.58 |
| Territorial Army | 335.95 |
| Royal Air Force Reserve | 0.40 |
| Royal Auxiliary Air Force | 8.40 |
Departmental Land
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the land held by his Department has not been used in the last year. [11001]
Mr. Spellar: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Aircraft Stationing (Germany)
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities the German Government have offered for the permanent stationing of RAF aircraft.[10997]
Dr. Reid: Accommodation requirements arising out of the stationing of the RAF, or indeed other British forces, in Germany are met by the German Government in accordance with the NATO status of forces agreement. Those requirements are notified to the German Government and agreement reached with them on the provision and use of that accommodation, which then remains at the disposal of British forces until it is no longer required. The responsibility therefore rests with the British forces to make the initial approach to the German Government. As reflected in the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1996," Cm 3223, the RAF is to withdraw from RAF Laarbruch in 1999 and from RAF Bruggen in 2002, after which there will be no RAF aircraft permanently stationed in Germany.
Gurkha Regiment
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for the Gurkha regiment.[10999]
29 Jul 1997 : Column: 184
Dr. Reid:
Currently, the first battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles is serving as part of the joint rapid deployment force in 5 Airborne Brigade; other elements units support the Field Army in the United Kingdom. The second battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles is deployed as the Brunei garrison. The strategic defence review, launched on 28 May, will decide how our armed forces should be structured, equipped and deployed to meet out nation's interests and commitments. It would be premature to assess the likely outcome of the review before the process is complete.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel are members of military bands of the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army, (c) RAF and (d) Royal Marines. [11169]
Mr. Spellar:
The number of personnel who were members of military bands as at 1 July 1997--the latest figures available--was:
| Number | |
|---|---|
| (a) Royal Navy | 0 |
| (b) Army | 1,139 |
| (c) RAF | 204 |
| (d) Royal Marines | 295 |
| Total | 1,638 |
Additionally, there are 864 personnel serving in Territorial Army bands. These are not fully funded, but receive grants from public funds.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military bands in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy, (c) RAF and (d) Royal Marines are fully funded by his Department. [11168]
Mr. Spellar: There are 30 Regular Army, five Royal Marines and four RAF bands that are fully funded by my Department. The Royal Navy as such does not have any fully funded bands, but uses the Royal Marines bands for ceremonial and other occasions.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to his Department of maintaining the military bands of the (a) Navy, (b) Army, (c) RAF and (d) Royal Marines. [11170]
Mr. Spellar: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Worthy Down
Mr. Pearson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the cost of running the Worthy Down training centre in 1996-97; what is the projected cost for 1997-98; what types of training courses it offered; how many participants there were on these courses in 1996-97; and what are the projected numbers for 1997-98; [11300]
29 Jul 1997 : Column: 185
Dr. Reid:
I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of total departmental expenditure on computer-related current and capital work for (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98, (d) 1998-99 and (e) 1999-00; and if he will make a statement. [11393]
29 Jul 1997 : Column: 186
Mr. Spellar:
The estimated departmental expenditure on major and medium scale computer-related systems and their associated communications capabilities, including planned capital expenditure and operating costs, but excluding manpower costs, is:
(2) what is the current asset value of Worthy Down; what is the cost per trainee of providing each type of training course at Worthy Down; what steps his Department has taken to market test the provision of training currently provided at Worthy Down; and if he will publish his Department's studies into the value for money of training at this establishment. [11301]
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1995-96 | Figures not centrally collated |
| 1996-97 | 1,130 |
| 1997-98 | 941 |
| 1998-99 | 1,030 |
| 1999-00 | 997 |
These figures do not include the cost of minor purchases made under local financial delegated powers, which are not collated centrally and could be obtained only through a major survey at disproportionate cost.
The Department places great importance on the exploitation of computer-related systems to improve both military effectiveness and administrative efficiency.
29 Jul 1997 : Column: 187
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