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Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on the Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System; and if he will list the project milestones. [68512]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System programme is still at an early stage, but is currently expected to involve a mix of systems, including a lightweight 155mm howitzer. Other elements of the programme are less well defined at present. The UK entered into co-operation with the US on their Lightweight 155mm Howitzer development programme in 1998, to allow us to benefit from information generated by the US programme, before making a decision on the way forward. On current plans, we expect the howitzer to enter UK service in 2007.
Bowman Project
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Bowman project; and if he will list the project milestones. [68510]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 3 February 1999]: Project Bowman will provide the Armed Forces with a new tactical combat radio communications system to replace the Clansman system, with a planned In Service Date of March 2002. The Prime contractor is Archer Communications Systems Ltd., who are currently completing system definition, including initiating key development work with sub contractors, commencing system integration, and demonstrating technical progress. On current plans, MOD intend to commit to the production and supply of the system towards the end of this year. The Bowman Project will be included in the first wave of Integrated Project Teams from 1 April 1999.
Terrier Project
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Terrier project; and if he will list the project milestones. [68757]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 3 February 1999]: Terrier will replace the in-service Combat Engineer Tractor and will provide battlefield mobility/counter mobility by performing Engineer tasks. Tenders for the Project Definition phase have been received recently from three companies, Alvis, Marconi Marine and Vickers Defence Systems and are currently being assessed. It is planned to place two competitive Project Definition contracts later this year, leading to the selection of a contractor for Full Development and Production. The vehicle is currently expected to enter service in 2008.
4 Feb 1999 : Column: 741
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the airborne stand-off radar project; and if he will list the project milestones. [68501]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Airborne Stand-Off Radar, ASTOR, project is a long range theatre surveillance and target acquisition system required to operate in all weathers by day and night. The airborne component of the system will be fitted in a commercial business jet, which offers the best balance of payload, survivability, height capability and endurance.
The MOD is currently in the process of evaluating bids for the Full Development and Production phase of the project, and it would, therefore, not be appropriate to make specific comments on any aspect of the bids at this time. On current plans we aim to announce a decision on the project in the spring, and award a contract later this year. The In-Service Date will be dependent on the selected bid.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Skynet 5 UK Military Satellite Communications System; and if he will list the project milestones. [68505]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The requirement for UK military satellite communications is currently met by the Skynet 4 Stage 1 system, which is being replaced by three new Skynet 4 Stage 2 satellites, the first of which entered service in May 1998. These, in turn will require replacement in the middle of the next decade. The programme to provide this future capability is known as Skynet 5. The preferred option is for the requirement to be met by a PFI service based solution.
The MOD is currently in the process of evaluating proposals from industry for the Design Phase of the programme and it would, therefore, not be appropriate to make specific comments on any aspect of the bids at this time. The contracts for this phase are due to be placed in February 1999. The Implementation phase is planned to commence in 2002, with initial communication services commencing in 2006.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Future Carrier-Borne Aircraft; and if he will list the project milestones. [68513]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 3 February 1999]: As announced in the Strategic Defence Review a Future Carrier Borne Aircraft will replace the Harrier. A decision on the aircraft type is expected to be taken in late 2000. The In-Service Date remains at 2012.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the counter-battery radar (COBRA) project; and if he will list the project milestones. [68755]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 3 February 1999]: COBRA is a collaborative project between the UK, France and Germany to develop and produce a Counter
4 Feb 1999 : Column: 742
Battery Radar with a capability to locate hostile rocket, gun, mortar batteries at long range. The COBRA project entered the Industrialisation and Production phase with the prime contractor, EURO-ART, in March 1998. On current plans we expect delivery of the first UK Radar System Vehicle in late 2001, with the system expected formally to enter service about a year later.
Mr. Blunt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of British troops which could be deployed indefinitely to Kosovo without causing the assumptions underlying the Strategic Defence Review to be revised. [69189]
Mr. George Robertson:
The assumptions underlying the Strategic Defence Review were intended to guide force structure planning rather than decisions about individual deployments. A deployment to Kosovo would not invalidate these assumptions.
Mr. Blunt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps have been named for duty in Kosovo. [69190]
Mr. George Robertson:
The Headquarters of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps has been involved in Nato planning in relation to Kosovo, but no decision has been taken to proceed with any operation.
Mr. Blunt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what British military forces the Nato Secretary General has authority to order into action following the response of both parties to the Contact Group's proposals on Kosovo. [69188]
Mr. George Robertson:
The North Atlantic Council on 30 January agreed that the Nato Secretary General may authorise air strikes against targets on FRY territory. He will take his decision in the light of both parties' compliance with international commitments and requirements, including in particular assessment by the Contact Group of the response to its demands.
The RAF assets dedicated to these air operations consist of eight Harriers and two tankers in Italy. Furthermore, HMS Iron Duke, a Type 23 frigate, which is part of the Nato Standing Force Mediterranean, is now situated in the Adriatic.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the restrictions placed on the United Kingdom defence industry in respect of exports of equipment and technology to Taiwan. [69008]
Mr. Fatchett:
I have been asked to reply.
Applications for export licences to supply defence- related equipment and technology to Taiwan are considered case-by-case. All decisions are made in the light of the criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 26-29. In scrutinising applications for Taiwan, we give particular weight to the implications for regional security.
4 Feb 1999 : Column: 743
34. Mr. Robathan:
To ask the Attorney-General how many cases involving fraud on mortgage applications have been prosecuted by the CPS in each of the last five years. [67832]
The Attorney-General:
The Crown Prosecution Service holds no central records in respect of the number of cases involving fraud on mortgage applications which have been prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the last five years. The information is held on individual case files and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
36. Mr. David Heath:
To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions he has exercised the procedure of Nolle Prosequi since May 1997. [67834]
The Attorney-General:
Statistics are not maintained of how many nolle prosequi are granted. However, a search of files held by my office has identified five occasions since May 1997 when a nolle prosequi has been granted.
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