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Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to whom the Secretary of the Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee is responsible. [74311]
Mr. George Robertson: The Secretary of the Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee is responsible to the Committee as a whole; that is the Government Members and Press and Broadcasting Members alike. His accountability was included in Open Government Document No. 93/06, which was published when the old D Notices were replaced by the current Defence Advisory Notices on 1 August 1993. A copy of the OGD was placed in the House of Commons Library on 23 July 1993.
Executive Agencies
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the Ministry of Defence Police Agency is answerable to him. [74310]
Mr. George Robertson:
The MOD Police is an Agency of the Ministry of Defence and the Secretary of State for Defence has ultimate responsibility for determining the size, policy and resources framework within which the Agency operates, acting through the MOD Police Committee. The Chief Constable has, however, exclusive statutory authority for the professional direction and control of MOD Police officers and the Force is independent from political or Departmental influence in the maintenance and operation of the law.
4 Mar 1999 : Column: 868
Mr. Burnett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to discuss with the Indian Government a review of pensions paid to retired Gurkhas who have served with the British and Indian armies. [74128]
Mr. Spellar:
Gurkha pensions are paid in accordance with the 1947 Tri-Partite Agreement between the UK, India and Nepal and are linked to the Indian Army pension code. Last year a review took place, incorporating the 1996 Indian Government 5th Pay Commission, which resulted in substantial rises for all our 26,000 British Gurkha pensioners and their families. The pension increases resulting from this review have been backdated to 1 January 1996. We have no current plans to hold discussions with the Indian Government on the issue of Gurkha pensions.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries had armed forces involved in the jungle training exercise in Thailand carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72848]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 2 March 1999]: Thailand and the United Kingdom.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the jungle training exercise in Thailand carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [72851]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 2 March 1999]: This exercise, involving a company of Royal Marines, was intended to maintain and develop their capability to conduct operations in a jungle environment. It was assessed to have succeeded in its aim.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to set targets for the Duke of York's Military School for 1999-2000. [72986]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 2 March 1999]: I expect to set targets for the Duke of York's Military School by the end of April 1999.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance he has offered to the Austrian and French authorities following avalanche emergencies in the Alps in the last 12 months. [74136]
Mr. George Robertson
[holding answer 2 March 1999]: During the recent avalanche emergency in Austria, the Austrian authorities requested help from nations in the form of medium lift helicopters. This was the first request of its type in the last 12 months that we have received from either Austrian or French authorities. Our offer of a Puma helicopter was not required as lift from nations with nearer military bases was more readily available.
4 Mar 1999 : Column: 869
Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving members of Her Majesty's armed forces qualified in landmine clearance are currently involved in mine clearance operations; where they are serving; and to whom they are on secondment. [74207]
Mr. George Robertson
[holding answer 2 March 1999]: In total 59 personnel are involved in, or training for, mine clearance operations, as follows:
Mr. George Robertson
[holding answer 2 March 1999]: As part of the programme to increase the Ministry of Defence's contribution to humanitarian de-mining, which I announced on 27 October 1997, Official Report, columns 609-20, we have offered up to five additional military personnel to the United Nations in support of de-mining projects overseas.
Mr. Keith Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current proportion of (a) the Army and (b) Land Command, (i) committed and (ii) warned to deploy for operations. [74058]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 2 March 1999]: The information requested is as follows:
Geneva Centre for International Humanitarian Demining--One Officer as technical adviser;
Bosnia Mine Action Centre (Mostar)--One Officer as technical adviser;
UN Development Programme (New York)--One Officer on Training Study Team;
UK Mine Information and Training Centre, Minley--Three personnel;
Falklands Islands Explosive Ordnance Destruction detachment--Six personnel;
Bosnia Stabilisation Force--46 personnel involved in co-ordination of mine clearance, emergency disposal of mines and unexploded ordnance, and mine awareness training;
Kosovo--One officer in Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Mine Action Cell.
Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to extend the use of serving members of Her Majesty's armed forces in landmine clearance work overseas. [74208]
| percentage | ||
|---|---|---|
| Committed to operations | Warned to deploy on operations | |
| Army personnel | 35.6 | 20.4 |
| Land Command personnel | 54.6 | 31.3 |
Ministry of Defence Police
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the Ministry of Defence Police; and what was the figure ten years ago. [72991]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 3 March 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence Police. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
4 Mar 1999 : Column: 870
Letter from Walter Boreham to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 4 March 1999:
Mr. Grogan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the restructuring of the Army district organisation in the United Kingdom. [75407]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
I announced on 28 October 1998, Official Report, columns 360-67, that, subject to consultation with the Trades Unions, we planned to restructure the Army district organisation to produce a more effective and efficient framework for the administration of Army units in the United Kingdom. Following this consultation, I am now able to confirm that the restructuring will proceed as follows: the number of regional districts will reduce from six to three, covering Scotland and the North of England, Wales and the West of England and South-East England. Divisional headquarters for the higher administration of Army units in these regions will be at Craigiehall near Edinburgh, Shrewsbury and Aldershot. These reforms will also mean that the headquarters of the 3rd Division, based at Bulford in Wiltshire, will be freed of its regional administrative responsibilities and able to concentrate on its operational role including the command of its deployable units throughout the country. In addition, the London District headquarters will reduce to the status of a brigade headquarters and the headquarters of 43 (Wessex) Brigade will be transferred from Exeter to Bulford.
As I announced on 2 March 1999, Official Report, column 657, units of the Defence Vetting Agency which are currently widespread around the country will be collocated at Imphal Barracks, York, making use of space vacated by the headquarters 2nd Division.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of professional lobbyists in formulating policy in his Department. [74352]
Mr. George Robertson:
Professional lobbyists have no role in formulating policy within the Ministry of Defence.
I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the complement of the Ministry of Defence Police, both the current manning levels and those of ten years ago, as this falls into my area of responsibility as Chief Constable/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence Police Agency.
The strength for the Ministry of Defence Police on 23rd February 1999 was 3,609 with 245 civilian support staff. The strength figure of 1st May 1989 was 4,613 and 92 civilian staff.
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