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Surveillance Towers (Northern Ireland)

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations of British Army surveillance towers in Northern Ireland in (i) September 1994 and (ii) October 1998; and what plans he has to remove further towers from use in the next six months. [56394]

3 Nov 1998 : Column: 444

Mr. George Robertson: In September 1994 there were surveillance towers at 10 hilltop sites in the South Armagh area, 2 towers in Londonderry and 3 surveillance posts mounted on blocks of flats within Belfast. in October 1998 there were the same number of sites in South Armagh and Belfast, but only one in Londonderry, the other having been closed in 1995. In addition to surveillance towers, the security forces maintain a number of other structures which are used for a variety of observation purposes.

The security situation is kept under constant review and the configuration of the military infrastructure adjusted accordingly. However, there are no plans to withdraw any of the towers from use over the next 6 months.

British Forces (Northern Ireland)

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the British Army regiments currently deployed in Northern Ireland, indicating the number attached to each and the estimated duration of their tour of duty; and if he will make a statement on planned deployment during the next 12 months providing there is no unforeseen change in the security context. [56397]

Mr. George Robertson: The British Army Infantry Battalions--and one Royal Marine Commando--currently committed to Northern Ireland are listed in the table, along with their strength and planned tour length:

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UnitStrengthLength of tour
The 1st Battalion The Scots Guards5692 years--until March 2000
The 1st Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers5662 years--until August 2000
The 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry6232 years--until March 1999
The 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers6052 years--until May 1999
The 1st Battalion The Queen's Lancashire Regiment6062 years--until December 1999
The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)(1)6092 years--until March 1999
42 Commando Royal Marines5776 months--until March 1999
The 1st Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales)5526 months--until November 1998
The 12th Regiment Royal Artillery4036 months--until October 1998
The 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales--Prince of Wales Division5456 months--until December 1998
The 39th Regiment Royal Artillery(2)2776 months--until January 1999
The 1st Battalion The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) (Scottish Division)5106 months--until December 1998

(1) The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 39th Regiment Royal Artillery, respectively the Province Reserve Battalion and the Urban Reinforcement Battalion, are fully committed to Northern Ireland, although only one company of each was deployed in the Province at 30 September 1998. The 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales, the Rural Reinforcement Battalion, is also fully committed to Northern Ireland but was not deployed in the Province at that time.

Note:

Figures as at 30 September 1998


3 Nov 1998 : Column: 443

In addition, there are 6 Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, totalling 4,431 soldiers, comprising both full-time and part-time members, which are wholly committed to service in Northern Ireland.The security situation is kept under constant review and the level of Army support to the Royal Ulster Constabulary adjusted accordingly in line with their requirements. However, it is the Department's policy not to disclose details of future deployments to the Province.

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the overall strength in September 1998 of British military forces in Northern Ireland broken down into numbers attached to the (i) Army, (ii) RAF, (iii) Royal Navy, (iv) RIR Home Service full-time and (v) RIR Home Service part-time. [56396]

Mr. George Robertson: The information requested is set out in the table:

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Strength
Army (General Service)(2)10,873
Royal Air Force1,152
Royal Navy321
The Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service Full Time)2,627
The Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service Part Time)1,961
Total16,934

(2) Includes the Province Reserve Battalion and the Urban Reinforcement Battalion which are fully committed to Northern Ireland although only one company of each was deployed to the Province as at 30 September 1998. Also includes the Rural Reinforcement Battalion which was committed but not deployed at that time

Note:

Figures as at 30 September 1998


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Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Army and RIR barracks are maintained in Northern Ireland; if he will cost and itemise major works projects (a) completed over the last 12 months and (b) already under way, initiated or committed in the next 12 months. [56398]

Mr. George Robertson: There are currently 44 bases used by the British Army including the Royal Irish Regiment, in Northern Ireland which are occupied by a platoon or more of troops. These include bases which are exclusively military or which are shared with the RUC. It does not include RUC stations which have a token military presence, surveillance towers, observation posts, Permanent Vehicle Check Points (PVCPs), or patrol bases which were previously PVCPs.

A continual programme of maintenance and development exists to keep the Army estate in good operational order. Within the last 12 months 7 major works projects costing £300,000 or more have been completed at a total value of £21.415m. These projects were at the following locations:

£ million
LocationCost
Thiepval Barracks2.612
Massereene Barracks (3 projects)13.821
Hollywood2.253
Ballykinler1.184
New Barnsley2.545

There are currently 29 major works projects costing £300,000 or more, with a total value of £54.696m, under way, initiated or committed in the next 12 months. These projects are at the following locations:

£ million
LocationCost
Ballykinler (4 projects)4.067
Drumadd0.960
Omagh (3 projects)8.500
Ballykelly (3 projects)3.570
Aldergrove (4 projects)13.000
Hollywood (3 projects)3.595
Kinnegar2.500
Thiepval Barracks (7 projects)14.080
Magilligan3.174
Mahon Barracks (2 projects)1.250

Guardsmen Fisher and Wright

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date, and at what level, the decision was taken to permit administrative facilities at (a) Wellington Barracks, (b) Catterick Barracks and (c) other premises within his responsibility to be used for (i) answering phone calls, (ii) replying to mail and (iii) other activities associated with the campaign for the release of guardsmen Fisher and Wright; and what was the cost to public funds. [56297]

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Mr. George Robertson: The Fisher and Wright Release Group is an independent organisation which is run by former members of the Scots Guards and is not supported from public funds. The Group was not permitted the use of Army administration facilities in connection with its campaign, nor was assistance provided from any Army establishment.

The Group consists of former members of the Regiment who are entitled to enter the Scots Guards Regimental Headquarters. They thus held their initial meetings at Wellington Barracks in 1997. The Regimental Colonel subsequently directed that these meetings should cease to take place within the Headquarters. The Group has used a P.O. Box number as a point of contact since 10 July 1997 and has not held any further meetings at the Regimental Headquarters.

As the two Guardsmen are still members of the Scots Guards, its Regimental Headquarters has inevitably been a natural focal point for ex-Servicemen who wish to express their support for the Release Group's activities. Any telephone calls or letters that have been received for this purpose have, however, been immediately redirected to the Release Group.

My Department has also received a number of representations both in support of and against the Guardsmen.

Defence Intelligence and Security Centre, Chicksands

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the refurbishment of the Priory at the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre at Chicksands; and if his Department has borne this cost. [57314]

Mr. Doug Henderson: The Defence Intelligence and Security Centre (DISC) is based at Chicksands. The cost of refurbishing the Priory Officers' Mess at DISC is currently forecast at £4.731 million, and is being met by my Department.

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many American visiting forces are based at the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre at Chicksands; and for what purpose. [57315]

Mr. Doug Henderson: There are 10 US personnel attached to the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre at Chicksands to support training and exercises, particularly where there is a mutual US/UK interest. Some may deploy on operations where there is a combined national interest, subject to approval from the respective governments.


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