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Yugoslavia
Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many attack missions against Yugoslavia have been flown by British aircraft in the two weeks up to 31 March; and what was the cost of them to the British public funds. [80425]
Mr. George Robertson: As part of Operation Allied Force, a total of 50 sorties were flown by UK ground attack aircraft in the period up to 6.00 a.m. on 1 April 1999, at an estimated total extra cost excluding munitions, of some £360,000.
Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) bombs and (b) missiles paid for by British public funds have been used to attack Yugoslavia in the two weeks up to 31 March; and what was their total cost. [80427]
Mr. George Robertson: A total of 14 bombs were dropped by UK aircraft in support of Operation Allied Force during the period in question. These bombs cost a total of some £520,000. I am withholding the information requested in respect of missiles under exemption 1a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Millennium Compliance
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what latest estimate he has made of the total cost of resolving the year 2000 computer problem in all defence-related areas; how much has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement. [79805]
Mr. Spellar: The projected additional cost of the MoD Year 2000 date change compliancy programme remains at £200m. Actual expenditure by MoD's top-level Budget Holders at the end of February 1999 was £48.5m. These figures include the cost of all activities to address the problem which we would not otherwise have needed to undertake. However, they exclude the cost of any equipment procurements or upgrades which were already planned and funded to meet a requirement of operational or business reasons, but which also address the Y2K issue. They also exclude the cost of internal MOD staff effort to ensure that our systems are compliant.
Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what precautions are being taken by Her Majesty's armed forces over the period 30 December 1999 to 5 January 2000 to ensure defence capability is not damaged by the year 2000 computer problem; and if he will make a statement. [79806]
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Mr. Spellar:
The MoD has had a technical programme in place since 1996 to scope and address the problem of computer system compliancy with the Year 2000 date change. This programme is progressing well, with over 60 per cent. of MoD's critical systems now compliant. In addition, comprehensive contingency plans are being developed against the possibility of unexpected failure of MoD systems, or the failure of other non-MoD systems on which we rely, such as the public utilities. These plans seek to ensure the continuity of military operations and the requisite levels of defence capability throughout the period 1 September 1999 to 31 March 2000. There are also well-established procedures for crisis management on a 24-hour basis, which will apply throughout this period.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 March 1999, Official Report, column 307, how many goats have died in experiments at the Royal Navy Physiological Laboratory in (a) the last 12 months and (b) each of the previous five years; how many have been injured before undergoing experiments; what anaesthetics are administered to goats; and if he will list the experiments that have been performed on goats. [79725]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
| Year | Number of goats |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 11 |
14 Apr 1999 : Column: 244
Since 1 January 1999, 9 goats have been humanely killed during or following experiments. It is likely that the total number of goats killed in 1999 will be higher than in recent years for three reasons. Firstly, two research programmes are being carried out concurrently
and, secondly, the conditions of the co-operative rescue programme are such that more animals will be humanely killed in the early stages. Thirdly, a restocking programme has started as many of the goats are getting old and these also, will be humanely killed.
None of the goats are injured prior to the experiments.
The anaesthetics administered to the goats are as follows
Rompun and Domitor (sedative/analgesic)
Torbugesic (analgesic)
Halothane/oxygen/nitrous oxide (general anaesthetic)
Lignocaine (local anaesthetic)
Sodium pentobarbitone (lethal injection by anaesthetic)
The dosages are as recommended by the independent veterinary surgeon and administered by trained and licensed staff.
I hope this is helpful.
TREASURY
Departmental Policies
Mr. Maclean: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what systems he has in place to ensure that policies being developed by his Department are subject to a crime impact (a) assessment and (b) audit and are not likely to lead to enhanced criminal opportunities. [72690]
Ms Hewitt [holding answer 24 February 1999]: Government Departments are co-operating closely on policy development and, therefore, I work closely with other Ministers on any likely implications for crime of new developments, as indicated by research.
As far as the Treasury is concerned, all our policies should support Home Office Aim 1, which is to reduce crime and the fear of crime. The Home Office research programme monitors and evaluates the effects of new policy and other interventions.
Child Poverty
Mr. Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what definition of poverty underlies his statement in this year's Budget statement that 700,000 children will be taken out of poverty as a result of the Budget. [78522]
Ms Hewitt [holding answer 25 March 1999]: The estimate of 700,000 children is based on the number of children in low income families who will no longer be living in households below half the average equivalised income after allowing for housing costs. This calculation looks at the impact of all the tax and benefit measures announced in the last two Budgets, the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit and National Minimum Wage.
This method is one snap-shot indicator of one dimension of relative poverty. Child poverty is complex. It is characterised by a number of related problems, including persistent low family incomes caused by parental unemployment, damaged opportunities later in life, and too often a poor education in childhood.
The Government's strategy for reducing poverty and social exclusion is tackling all aspects of poverty and tackling it at source. It is focused on investment in prevention, work as the best way out of poverty and regenerating the poorest communities, while providing support for those who cannot work.
14 Apr 1999 : Column: 245
The Government's report on the progress being made on tackling poverty and social exclusion, due to be published in early summer, will explain our policy priorities in more depth and include a range of low income indicators.
Dr. Cable:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the numbers of higher rate taxpayers who will pay a 46 per cent. marginal rate of income tax consequent upon the tapering of the children's tax credit (a) in total, (b) where the taxpayer is the sole earner in the family and (c) where the taxpayer is the sole higher rate taxpayer in the family. [79091]
Ms Hewitt:
It is estimated that in 2001-02 there will be 300,000 taxpayers on the children's tax credit taper. Of these, around 90,000 will be the sole earner in the family. In very few cases will there be two higher rate taxpayers in the family.
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