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Bosnia
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to compensate those Territorial Army personnel deployed in Bosnia to whom backpay is still owed. [15332]
Dr. Reid: Contrary to recent media reports, there is no endemic or general problem affecting the pay of mobilised TA personnel serving in Bosnia. Mobilised TA personnel are treated as Regular Army for pay purposes and as such were not affected by the separate problems unfortunately experienced by their non-mobilised TA colleagues, which arose from an unforeseen backlog caused by the transfer of work to the Army Personnel Centre (APC) in Glasgow.
I regret that isolated problems have, however, affected the pay and allowances of a limited number of mobilised TA personnel. These stemmed mainly from incomplete or incorrect mobilisation documentation, particularly during early mobilisation exercises. Individual cases have been dealt with as they have arisen, and the Army very much regrets any difficulty caused to affected personnel or their families. I can assure the hon. Gentlemen that affected individuals have had access, as a temporary measure, to financial assistance from their Units until the underlying problems could be resolved.
Because such problems affect individuals in different ways, there can be no automatic mechanisms or all-embracing compensation package. But any individual who has incurred additional expense, such as bank overdraft charges, as a result of pay problems not of their making may apply for reimbursement, subject to the provision of supporting documentary evidence. Claims should be sent to the Pay Division of the APC through the appropriate Regimental Administrative Office.
As a result of the experience gained and lessons learned from these cases, such problems have been largely overcome. Also in the light of this experience, active consideration is being given by the APC--in conjunction with other parties involved in the mobilisation process--to the formation of a permanent mobilisation centre manned with staff experienced in such procedures. The aim is to ensure that there is a more focused approach in order to minimise the occurrence of initial errors which can have serious implications for pay and other matters.
Mr. Keith Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to outresource the duties now undertaken by the MOD police. [15329]
12 Nov 1997 : Column: 580
Dr. Reid:
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is looking at all aspects of defence capability. Whilst I have no plans to outresource any of the duties of the Ministry of Defence Police, it is too early to assess the potential impact of the SDR on the Force.
Mr. Keith Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice he has received from the Territorial Army brigadiers concerning the size, shape and future role of the Territorial Army. [15334]
Dr. Reid:
The future size, shape and role of the Territorial Army will be determined by the Strategic Defence Review. We are consulting very widely in the course of this work. In particular I expect to have discussions shortly with Brigadier Holmes, who took up his responsibilities as Director of Reserve Forces and Cadets this month. Other members of the TA, like all Service personnel, are welcome to make submissions direct to the Review Team.
Mr. Keith Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to hold a departmental open day. [15337]
Dr. Reid:
There are no plans at present for a central departmental open day. Considerable effort is put into publicising the work of the Department and the individual Services. My Department has an annual touring exhibition, the Services Presentation Teams provide information on MOD and the Services, and many individual units and bases hold local open days.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 July, Official Report, column 470, what was the aim of Exercise Senator 97; what was the scenario of the exercise; and what were the results of the exercise. [15608]
Dr. Reid:
The aim of Exercise Senator 97 was to test procedures in the event of an accident involving nuclear weapons on British territory. The scenario postulated an accident involving a nuclear weapons convoy in transit through Lincolnshire. There has been unanimous agreement from participants that the exercise was a success, and a number of observations are being followed up with appropriate agencies. A copy of the summary report from all participating agencies will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where are the headquarters of the RAF Nuclear Accident Response Organisation. [15559]
Dr. Reid:
The Headquarters of the RAF Nuclear Accident Response Organisation is based at the Headquarters of the RAF Logistics Command at RAF Brampton, Huntingdon.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many editions of the local authority and emergency service information on nuclear weapon transport contingency plans have been produced since 1967; and on what dates. [15617]
12 Nov 1997 : Column: 581
Dr. Reid:
Two editions of the Local Authority and Emergency Service Information on Nuclear Weapon Transport Contingency Plans (LAESI) document have been produced by the Ministry of Defence. The first edition was issued in January 1993 and the second edition in March 1996.
Mr. Keith Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from other Government Departments concerning the Strategic Defence Review; and whether he intends publishing them. [15594]
Mr. George Robertson:
Other Government Departments have been, and will continue to be, consulted throughout the Strategic Defence Review process. Their inputs represent internal Government advice and opinion and are therefore covered by exemption 2 (Internal discussion and advice) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. We have no plans to publish them.
Mr. Keith Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he plans to publish the Strategic Defence Review in association with 1998-99 Defence Estimates; and if he will make a statement. [15336]
Mr. George Robertson:
The 1998-99 estimates for defence votes will be published as part of the Main Supply Estimates in March 1998. The results of the Strategic Defence Review will be published separately at the conclusion of the Review.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 July, Official Report, column 473, in what ways the three types of WE-177 bomb are different from each other. [15602]
Dr. Reid:
The three types of WE-177 bomb differed in terms of weight, size and yield. I am withholding detailed information about these weapons as it is covered under exemption l of the code of practice on access to Government information relating to defence security and international relations.
Mr. Keith Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by appointment the selection committee for nominating the 4 star general for the post of Deputy SACEUR. [15331]
Dr. Reid:
A candidate for the 4 star NATO post of Deputy SACEUR is nominated by the Senior Appointments Committee, which comprises the Chief and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, and the Chiefs of the Naval, General and Air Staffs.
Mr. Keith Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name those British officers who have held the post of Deputy SACEUR and who have (a) subsequently served on the Army Board and (b) become Chief of the General Staff. [15330]
Dr. Reid:
None.
12 Nov 1997 : Column: 582
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 July, Official Report column 469, when the HMS Tiger cruiser was decommissioned. [15609]
Dr. Reid:
The cruiser HMS Tiger was decommissioned on 4 May 1979.
Mr. Keith Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which NATO countries separate the command, control and ownership of attack and support helicopters between the army and air force. [15328]
Dr. Reid:
Among NATO countries only the United Kingdom separates the ownership of anti-tank and support helicopters, between the Army and Royal Air Force respectively. The Strategic Defence Review is examining a range of options for the structure and management of the three Services' helicopter forces.
Mr. Keith Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the cost benefits to his Departmental budget of combining attack and support helicopters under one service. [15327]
Dr. Reid:
The Strategic Defence Review is examining a range of options for the structure and management of the three Services' helicopter forces, which will be costed as appropriate. It would be premature to discuss particular options at this stage in the Review process.
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