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Journalists
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the expenditure by his Department on paying journalists (a) as an asset, (b) as an assistant, (c) as on side, and (d) on a keep your eyes open basis, over the period from June 1997 to June 1998. [65465]
Mr. George Robertson
[holding answer 14 January 1999]: From time to time my Department employs journalists, for example to train personnel in media skills. Detailed information on such employment is not held centrally. No journalist paid for work by my Department is, however, appointed directly in the terms of the categories set out by my hon. Friend.
4 Feb 1999 : Column: 737
Mr. Tyler:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what organophosphate lubricants are used in the engines of military (a) fixed winged aircraft and (b) helicopters; and if he will make a statement on possible health hazards for air crews. [66599]
Mr. Doug Henderson
[holding answer 19 January 1999]: The organic phosphate compound, tricresylphosphate, is present in all lubricants used regularly in military aircraft engines, to enable the lubricant to withstand the load placed on it and to prevent engine seizure. No viable alternative material is available at present.
The inhalation of mist (containing tricresylphosphate), which can be produced by high pressure systems, or direct contact with the skin, would be hazardous. We therefore have in place a number of preventative measures to prevent air and ground crews from being exposed to these hazards and also regularly review the risks to health.
Mr. Alan Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Indonesian military personnel have received training in the UK since 1 May 1997. [67601]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
Since 1 May 1997, a total of 22 Indonesian military personnel have attended, or are currently attending, courses at UK military training establishments. Indonesian military personnel attending courses at non-military UK educational establishments are not the responsibility of my Department. However, based on the information available to us, we understand that a further 29 Indonesian military personnel attended, or are currently attending, courses at non-military educational establishments in the UK.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1999, Official Report, column 460, if he will make it his policy to carry out radiation surveys at the entrance to reactor compartments every 12 hours to coincide with shift patterns during work on nuclear submarines at RN Base Faslane. [67955]
Mr. Spellar:
I wish to assure the hon. Member that the radiation surveys carried out both within and outside the Reactor Compartments of submarines meet fully our Statutory requirements. In addition to regular surveys, we also conduct continuous monitoring of the air in the Reactor Compartment for any trace of radioactive contaminants. Routine work in this area at Faslane is not based on a 12 hour shift pattern, the normal pattern being one 8 hour shift per day. Radiation surveys are carried out daily. It is not considered necessary therefore to change the frequency of the surveys.
Mr. Lidington:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to place in the Library a copy of the terms and conditions of the original transfer from the Rothschild family to the Government of land at Halton, Buckinghamshire. [67950]
4 Feb 1999 : Column: 738
Mr. Spellar:
The Rothschild Foundation has agreed to public release of the Conveyance dated 31 March 1919, a copy of which will be placed in the House of Commons Library shortly.
Ann Clwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the Disposal Sales Agency in exporting surplus Saladin and Saracen vehicles to other countries since 1988. [68790]
Mr. Spellar:
Records show that neither the Disposal Sales Agency nor its predecessor within the Defence Export Services Organisation has had any role in exporting Saladin or Saracen vehicles from the United Kingdom to other countries since 1988. A total of 37 such vehicles have been disposed of since 1988, all of which were sold commercially either within the United Kingdom or in Hong Kong. If subsequently exported, that would have been a matter solely for the purchaser to arrange, including the necessary export licences.
Ms Roseanna Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the risk of (a) staff and (b) public exposure to fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel in and around the Clyde nuclear base. [68075]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 1 February 1999]: HM Naval Base Clyde conducts only maintenance and repair on nuclear powered submarines, during which irradiated nuclear fuel neither leaves the reactor nor is conveyed to or from the Naval Base. It is legislative requirement under the Public Information for Radiation Emergencies Regulations 1992 that all nuclear operators undertake an assessment of the probability of the release of radioactive material from their operations that could lead to the exposure of the public. On the basis of such assessments there is no risk to staff or public from exposure to fragments of irradiated nuclear fuel.
Mr. Hoyle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which decisions on the future of the TA have been reviewed or altered by his Department since his announcement on 17 November 1998. [68480]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 1 February 1999]: No recommendations have been made to review the decisions announced on 17 November.
Mr. Hoyle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations were made to his Department by (a) right hon. and hon. Members and (b) other individuals and bodies on the future of the TA between 4 November and 17 November 1998. [68479]
Mr. Doug Henderson
[holding answer 1 February 1999]: Between 4 and 17 November, my Department received 261 representations on the future of the Territorial Army. Of these, 95 were letters from hon. Members and noble Lords, and 166 were letters from other individuals and bodies. In addition to these representations, 14 Parliamentary Questions on the future of the Territorial Army were tabled between 4 and 17 November.
4 Feb 1999 : Column: 739
Mr. Hoyle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations have been made to him on the future of the TA arising from the announcement of his decision on its restructuring on 17 November 1998. [68481]
Mr. Doug Henderson
[holding answer 1 February 1999]: Since the announcement of the restructuring of the Territorial Army on 17 November 1998, Official Report, columns 749-71, my Department has received 361 representations on the matter, as of 29 January 1999. Of these, 140 were letters from hon. Members and noble Lords, and 221 were letters from other individuals. In addition to these representations, 81 Parliamentary Questions on the future of the Territorial Army have been tabled since 17 November.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Multi-role Armoured Vehicle; and if he will list the project milestones. [68508]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Multi-role Armoured Vehicle programme will provide a family of armoured utility vehicles to replace the FV430 series, Saxon and CVR(T) vehicles. The Memorandum of Understanding for the development and initial production phase has been signed and we are working with our French and German partners, and with industry, to place a contract shortly. Firm milestones will be identified during the development phase.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future amphibious support helicopter; and if he will list the project milestones. [68500]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Future Amphibious Support Helicopter, FASH, is intended to replace the Westland Sea King Mk 4 helicopter in around ten years' time in the role of support of amphibious operations. We are currently assessing a number of different solutions to meet the FASH requirement. Current planning would lead to the issue of an Invitation To Tender in 2001.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the air-launched anti-armour weapon; and if he will list the project milestones. [68503]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The air-launched anti-armour weapon is designed to reduce the fighting power of enemy armoured forces as early and as far forward as possible by defeating modern and future Main Battle Tanks, Armoured Personnel Carriers and Self Propelled Guns. It is intended to be fitted on Tornado GR4, Harrier GR7 and Eurofighter. Following international competition a development and production contract was awarded to GEC Marconi Radar and Defence Systems for their BRIMSTONE weapon system on 6 November 1996.
4 Feb 1999 : Column: 740
The first flight of the missile on a Tornado took place in December 1998. Forthcoming milestones for the project are:
the completion of launcher development in April 1999,
air firing trials starting in June 1999; and
flight trials and the demonstration of seeker performance in August 1999.
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