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Gulf War Veterans

Mr. Gareth R. Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the external audit of the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme to be completed; and if he intends to publish the audit report. [82471]

Mr. Doug Henderson: My Department has now received the final report of the audit of the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) undertaken by the King's Fund Health Quality Service. I am pleased to report that the auditors were impressed with the organisation of the Medical Assessment Programme and the enthusiasm and commitment of the staff to the provision of a high-quality service. Nevertheless, the auditors also made a number of specific recommendations for improving the service and, because of the importance which we attach to the MAP, these have been accepted in full and work has already begun to implement them. The process of implementation is expected to be completed by November of this year. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library of the House and it will also be published on the Ministry of Defence Gulf Veterans' Illnesses website.

26 Apr 1999 : Column: 9

Basra (Bombing)

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of (a) the damage inflicted on the Basra Pumping Station and (b) the effect it has had on the pumping station; [81932]

Mr. George Robertson: UK aircraft have not been involved in any attack on a Basra pumping station. I am not aware of any bombs falling on palm trees in Abu Al-Kasib.

Iraq

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the military situation in relation to Iraq since 24 March, with particular reference to the allies' capability in the region of Iraq and Iraqi military action. [82030]

Mr. George Robertson: We remain fully committed to our policy of containing the threat posed by Iraq. We are continuing to enforce the Iraqi no-fly zones and maintain an appropriate military capability to ensure that Saddam Hussein does not rebuild his WMD capability or otherwise threaten his neighbours. Our naval forces continue to participate in multi-national efforts to enforce sanctions. We will continue to take appropriate defensive measures against Iraqi threats to coalition forces.

Atomic Weapons Establishment Sites

Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in selecting the contractor to manage the Atomic Weapons Establishment sites from April 2000; and what is the timetable for selecting the contractor. [80825]

Mr. Spellar: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 26 April 1999:



    As you may be aware, the Atomic Weapons Establishment is a Government Owned, Contractor Operated facility--a "GOCO". The present operator is Hunting-BRAE Ltd. whose 7 year Term Contract started on 1 April 1993. A further competition for the management and operation of the Atomic Weapons Establishment from 1 April 2000 is underway and progressing to schedule.


    Initial interest has now consolidated into three consortia. A bidders' conference was held on 19 October 1998, and a Request for Quotations was issued on 30 November. Responses are due in by 1 June 1999 and we aim to award a contract by the end of November 1999, thereby providing a four month lead-in for the new operating contractor.

26 Apr 1999 : Column: 10

Departmental Contractors

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requirements he places on (a) contractors and (b) sub-contractors regarding ISO 9002 certificates. [81642]

Mr. Spellar: The requirement for Quality Management System certification is dependent on the nature of the contractual requirement. Where the requirement is for a product or service of a non-technical nature, and acceptability can be confirmed by a non-technical customer on receipt, no certification is required as a condition of contract. In all other cases, the Department's policy is to award contracts only to suppliers whose Quality Management System aligns with the appropriate ISO 9000 series standard. Prime contractors are responsible for the selection and management of sub-contractors.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contractors currently employed by his Department do not have ISO 9002 certification. [81643]

Mr. Spellar: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Kosovo

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the units of British armed forces deployed around the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement. [80927]

Mr. George Robertson: The following units, or elements thereof, are currently deployed around the former Yugoslavia:


















































26 Apr 1999 : Column: 11


    Army (in Macedonia/Greece)



    Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Force



    1st Signals Brigade



    16th Signals Regiment



    2 Signals Regiment



    7 Signals Regiment



    3rd Armoured Division Signals Regiment



    30 Signals Regiment



    14th Topographical Squadron Royal Engineers



    659 Squadron Army Air Corps



    Headquarters 4th Armoured Brigade



    21st Regiment Royal Engineers



    2nd Armoured Field Ambulance



    King's Own Royal Border Regiment



    King's Royal Hussars



    4th Regiment Royal Artillery



    Headquarters (UK) Combat Service Support Group



    17 Port and Maritime Regiment



    29th Regiment Royal Logistics Corps



    28th Regiment Royal Engineers



    27th Regiment Royal Logistics Corps


    Royal Military Police



    Irish Guards


    Royal Air Force



    12 Harrier GR7s from No. 1 Squadron



    5 Chinook Helicopters from No. 7 Squadron



    3 E3s from No. 8 Squadron



    2 Puma Helicopters from No. 33 Squadron



    1 Nimrod R from No. 51 Squadron



    3 Tristars from No. 216 Squadron


In addition, although not deployed to the region, 8 Tornado GR1s and 3 VC10s are participating in NATO's air campaign, operating from their home bases of RAF Bruggen and RAF Brize Norton respectively.

PRIME MINISTER

Foreign Media (Articles)

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the sources which enabled him to identify articles he had written for publication by the foreign media; and if he will make a statement on the means by which the use of these sources could be expanded; [81235]

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) of 8 March 1999, Official Report, column 14, for what reason it would not be practicable to make systematic arrangements to place in the Library copies of articles which he writes for publication in overseas journals and newspapers. [80181]

26 Apr 1999 : Column: 12

The Prime Minister: I refer the right hon. Member and the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 3 February 1999, Official Report, columns 642-43; 26 February 1999, Official Report, column 474; 8 March 1999, Official Report, column 14; 22 March 1999, Official Report, column 8; and 31 March 1999, Official Report, column 718. It would involve disproportionate cost to identify, translate where necessary and record every such article that is published in the foreign media.

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