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MODIX
Mr. Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the MODIX System was installed and commissioned at the nuclear-propelled submarine refuel-refit yards at Devonport and Rosyth. [17428]
Mr. Spellar: The Mild Multi-Stage Oxide Decontamination with Ion Exchange system, MODIX, was installed and commissioned at Rosyth and Devonport in 1985-86.
HMS Dreadnought
Mr. Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what year and month his Department decided to withdraw HMS Dreadnought from active service; on what date it determined that HMS Dreadnought was to be finally defuelled and prepared for decommissioning at Chatham dockyard; and what was the total collective radiation dose received by the civilian workforce from the final defuelling and decommissioning preparations whilst HMS Dreadnought was at Chatham dockyard. [17431]
Mr. Spellar: The decision to withdraw HMS Dreadnought from active service was taken in February 1982. HMS Dreadnought underwent final defuelling and preparations for decommissioning between March 1982 and March 1983. The total collective radiation dose received by the civilian workforce during defuelling and decommissioning preparations was approximately 1 Sievert.
The Mount, Gibraltar
Mr. John D. Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the residence in Gibraltar, known as The Mount, was last occupied; when it will be occupied again; what proposals he has for its future use; and if he will make a statement. [17308]
26 Nov 1997 : Column: 563
Mr. Spellar:
The residence in Gibraltar known as The Mount was formerly owned by the Ministry of Defence and was last occupied in April 1997 by the Commander British Forces. The Ministry of Defence gifted The Mount to the Government of Gibraltar on 3 November 1997. The future use of The Mount is a matter for the Government of Gibraltar.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safeguards are in place to ensure that planes of the Royal Squadron are properly maintained. [17415]
Dr. Reid:
The BAe 146s, BAe 125s and Wessex helicopters of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron are required to be maintained to RAF standards, which are at least as robust as those applying to civil aircraft. The terms of the engineering support element of the multi-activity contract at RAF Northolt stipulate that contractor personnel should be capable of maintaining the aircraft to the same standards as would be required of RAF personnel. The Squadron also operates Twin Squirrel helicopters provided and maintained by a different contractor, which are required to meet CAA standards. We will, however, ensure that all the lessons from the recent incident involving a BAe 146 from No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron are identified and acted upon.
Mr. Wilkinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to revert to Royal Air Force servicing and maintenance of aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal Squadron) at Royal Air Force, Northolt. [17376]
Dr. Reid:
There are no such plans. We will, however, ensure that all the lessons from the recent incident involving a BAe 146 from No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron are identified and acted upon.
Mr. Wilkinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the findings of the inquiry into the technical causes of the airborne emergency of a BAe 146 aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal Squadron) on 6 November. [17377]
Dr. Reid:
It would not be appropriate to publish the Station Inquiry as it will deal with named individuals. I will, however, write to the hon. Member once our investigation is complete, and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of United Kingdom air space is reserved for exclusive military use. [17721]
Mr. Spellar:
Less than 0.02 per cent. of United Kingdom airspace is permanently available for exclusive military use.
Mr. Wilkinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what disciplinary sanctions are available to the Commanding Officer of Royal Air Force, Northolt over civilian servicing and maintenance contractors on the station in the event of negligence in the servicing or maintenance of aircraft based there. [17378]
26 Nov 1997 : Column: 564
Mr. Spellar:
The Station Commander at RAF Northolt has access to contractual sanction if he is dissatisfied with any aspect of performance of the contractor. He does not have direct disciplinary authority over individuals employed by the contractor.
Mr. Wilkinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the discipline and continued contracts of civilian servicing and maintenance personnel at RAF bases. [17379]
Mr. Spellar:
Our contracting procedures are reviewed regularly and, in all cases, exacting quality standards are required from defence contractors. Firm action will be taken against any contractor who fails to meet the mandated standards.
Mr. Viggers:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the disposal of land at Priddy's Hard, Gosport, to Barratt Homes was on an unconditional basis. [17596]
Mr. Spellar:
The offer for land at Priddy's Hard, Gosport by Barratt Homes was on an unconditional basis.
Mr. Viggers:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the disposal of land at Priddy's Hard, Gosport, to Barratt Homes has been completed; and how much money has been received as a result. [17597]
Mr. Spellar:
The sale to Barratt homes at Priddy's Hard, Gosport has not been completed, although we expect to exchange Contracts for Sale shortly. I am withholding information on the agreed sale for reasons of commercial confidentiality under Exception 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what British military personnel are stationed in Turkey under (a) NATO and (b) bilateral contracts. [17834]
Dr. Reid:
Eight British military personnel are stationed in Turkey under NATO auspices. These comprise: one Royal Navy Commander, one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, one Major, two Squadron Leaders and one Flight Sergeant.
There are no British military personnel stationed in Turkey under bilateral contracts. However, as of 24 November 1997, there were 191 British military personnel stationed in Turkey as part of Operation Northern Watch. Operation Northern Watch is a trilateral coalition operation comprising the UK, the US and Turkey, which enforces the No-Fly-Zone over Northern Iraq.
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people to date have lost their reduced earnings allowance in each of the benefit districts in Wales. [13771]
26 Nov 1997 : Column: 565
Mr. Denham:
The administration of Reduced Earnings Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Llew Smith, dated 25 November 1997:
Figures are provisional and subject to amendment.
(3) Benefits Agency districts as at 24 March 1996.
Mr. Amess:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list those Social Security benefits which are (a) taxable and (b) not taxable and the reasons underlying the two categories. [14673]
Mr. Denham:
The information is as follows:
Whether or not particular benefits should be taxable is kept under review.
This Government is committed to examining the interaction of the tax and benefit systems so that they can be streamlined and modernised so as to fulfil the objectives of promoting work incentives, reducing poverty and welfare dependency and strengthening community
26 Nov 1997 : Column: 566
and family life. Mr. Martin Taylor, Chief Executive of Barclays Bank plc, has been appointed to lead a Whitehall task force to take forward this remit.
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people to date have lost their Reduced Earnings Allowance (REA) in each of the benefit districts in Wales.
I have assumed your question refers to Adjudication Officer's decisions to transfer over pension age REA recipients to Retirement Allowance (RA) following the introduction of the Social Security (Industrial Injuries and Diseases) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1996 on 24 March 1996.
The information is shown in the attached table. Statistics on transfers were maintained up to 31 March 1997.
I hope this reply is helpful.
Benefits agency district(3) Number of cases transferred where pension age attained before 24 March 1996 Number of cases transferred where pension age attained between 24 March 1996 and 31 March 1997 Total
Wrexham and North Wales 176 44 220
Cardiff and Vale 82 13 95
Gwyneddigion Maldwyn 102 26 128
Eastern Valleys 335 46 381
Swansea Bay 275 45 320
Gwent Borders 59 24 83
West Wales 242 45 287
Mid Glamorgan 695 92 787
All other Social Security Benefits are not taxable.
Taxable benefits
Incapacity Benefit
Invalid Care Allowance
Jobseeker's Allowance
Retirement Pension
Widowed Mother's Allowance
Widow's Pension
Statutory Maternity Pay
Statutory Sick Pay
Industrial Death Benefit
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