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Multi-role Armoured Vehicles
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the progress of the MRAV project; [51253]
- (2) how many multi-role armoured vehicles he intends to purchase. [51255]
Mr. Spellar: Following the joint announcement with France and Germany on 22 April of our intention to proceed with collaborative development and initial production of the Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle, MRAV, and of the selection of the trilateral consortium "Eurokonsortium" as the preferred bidder, we have set work in hand to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding between the three nations. Detailed contract negotiations with the consortium are also proceeding. The initial production order will include 200 vehicles for each nation. No decisions have been taken on the final numbers required.
Procurement Policy
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the McKinsey report into defence procurement. [51072]
Mr. Spellar: No. This report constitutes advice to Ministers, and I am withholding it under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
European Collaboration
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future development of the Organisme Conjointe de Co-operation en Matiere d'Armament. [51059]
Mr. Spellar:
The UK is playing a full part in the continuing development of the Organisme Conjointe de Cooperation en Matiere d'Armament, OCCAR, which provides an opportunity to improve the way we conduct collaborative business with our European partners. With our partners, we are currently seeking legal status for the Organisation and are exploring various options to achieve
21 Jul 1998 : Column: 477
this. Legal status would allow OCCAR to place and manage contracts under agreed procurement procedures on the basis of best practice. OCCAR already manages existing Franco-German collaborative equipment programmes and agreement has been reached for the integration of projects involving the UK.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on the Joint Strike Fighter. [51073]
Mr. Spellar:
The US-led Joint Strike Fighter Concept Demonstration Phase, in which the UK is participating as a collaborative partner, aims to reduce risk prior to entry into full development. Steady progress is being made towards the first flights of the Concept Demonstration aircraft which are scheduled for the year 2000.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress his Department has made on the replacement for the Combat Engineer Tractor. [51069]
Mr. Spellar:
Feasibility Studies into the replacement for Combat Engineer Tractor, known as Terrier, have been successfully completed and we are currently considering the case for moving to Project Definition.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when work will commence on new buildings at the Defence NBC Centre at Winterbourne Gunner; and what contingency plans have been made with police, fire and emergency planning authorities. [51251]
Mr. Spellar:
On current planning, contracts for the work to be undertaken at the Defence NBC Centre, Winterbourne Gunner are expected to be let in October 1998, with a view to construction starting in November 1998. Construction work will take place on areas that have been cleared of old buildings. Archaeological and technical surveys of the site have not revealed anything which would require specific contingency plans other than the normal responses from the emergency services.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress his Department has made in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles. [51161]
Mr. Spellar:
Good progress continues to be made on the Phoenix unmanned air vehicle and on training the regiments that will use it. I expect the system to be in service by the end of this year, providing target acquisition support to our artillery systems. We are also examining the potential of unmanned air vehicles in the context of meeting longer-term requirements, including battlefield reconnaissance and the future offensive air system.
21 Jul 1998 : Column: 478
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress made by his Department on the Future Escort Project. [51068]
Mr. Spellar:
The Future Escort, which will replace the existing Type 22 and 23 frigates, is currently in the pre-feasibility phase, with a Staff Target planned for late 1999. We are examining all aspects of the proposed warship, including her hull design. A number of hull forms are being considered, including the trimaran. A contract is to be let shortly by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency for a Trimaran Demonstrator vessel which will be used to determine the operational characteristics of this type of hull form through sea-going trials scheduled to be completed by 2002. Initial trials results will be available mid 2001 to enable the MOD to make a decision as to whether the trimaran hull form will be adopted as the basis of the Future Escort design.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the timetable for the procurement of the two new landing ship logistics vessels. [51075]
Mr. Spellar:
We are investigating options for the procurement of two new landing ship logistics. We expect to make a decision on the way forward, including target in service dates, in the early part of 1999.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to place a firm order for two further Astute Class submarines. [51063]
Mr. Spellar:
On current plans, we expect to place an order for two new Astute Class submarines early in the next century.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what options he is assessing for the Future Carrier-Borne Aircraft. [51067]
Mr. Spellar:
No decisions have yet been taken on a future carrier borne aircraft but a version of the Joint Strike Fighter programme currently underway in the United States remains a strong contender. We are currently participating in the concept demonstration phase. Several other possible solutions are also under consideration. These include Short Take Off but Arrested Landing; conventional carrier aircraft with steam catapult assisted take off and arrested landing; and a further development of the Harrier aircraft.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the in-service date of the four additional roll-on roll-off container ships he intends to purchase. [51071]
Mr. Spellar:
It is anticipated that the four additional roll-on roll-off ships will be available for operational service from 2000. Options for the procurement of these vessels are currently being considered.
21 Jul 1998 : Column: 479
Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were (a) the budget and (b) the personnel numbers available to the Defence Medical Services in each of the last 10 years. [44216]
Dr. Reid
[holding answer 8 June 1998]: I have written to the hon. and learned Member and a copy of my letter is being placed in the Library.
11. Mr. Savidge:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals his Department has to protect women from domestic violence. [49924]
Mr. McLeish:
Tackling domestic violence is a priority for the Scottish Office. We are now setting up a Scottish Partnership on Domestic Violence to bring together all the key interests in developing a strategy and in promoting better services for abused women.
12. Mr. Nicholas Winterton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Confederation of British Industry in Scotland to discuss prospects for investment in Scotland. [49925]
Mr. Dewar:
I maintain regular contact with CBI Scotland on a range of issues. I believe the prospects for investment in Scotland remain excellent.
13. Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to visit the Dounreay reprocessing plant to discuss its operation. [49927]
Mr. Dewar:
Operational matters at Dounreay are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. I have no plans to visit the reprocessing plant to discuss its operation.
Winterbourne Gunner
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