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Animal Experiments
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many animals have been used in experiments at each of his Department's sites in each of the last five years. [82526]
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 | No. of Procedures |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 7,654 |
| 1995 | 8,914 |
| 1996 | 11,221 |
| 1997 | 11,083 |
| 1998 | 11,215 |
I hope the above is helpful.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of his Department's sites are licensed to carry out experiments on animals; and when the licences were issued. [82520]
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.
Letter from Sir John Chisholm to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 29 April 1999:
I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question about licensing arrangements for animal experiments. My reply refers to the arrangements at DERA sites as we undertake the majority of work involving animals on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
Under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 two DERA sites are licensed to conduct research that involves the use of animals. These are the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down and the Alverstoke site of the Centre for Human Sciences. Both sites have held licences, known as certificates, since the Act came into force in 1986. The Porton Down certificate had been modified several times since 1986 as facilities have changed and/or been updated.
I hope this is helpful.
Submarines (Firth of Clyde)
Dr. Godman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to modify the regulations governing submerged submarine operations in the Firth of Clyde on weekdays; and if he will make a statement. [82276]
29 Apr 1999 : Column: 247
Mr. George Robertson:
The regulations governing submerged submarine operations are contained in the Submarine/Fishing Vessel Interaction Code of Practice. Changes to the current Code of Practice which relate to the Firth of Clyde are currently with the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisation for ratification. The provisions contained therein, which include revised operating procedures in the Firth of Clyde and the requirement to notify the Clyde Fishermen's Association on weekdays when dived submarine operations are taking place in the area, are already being used by the Submarine Flotilla.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of the Official Secrets Acts in relation to those employed at (a) Aberporth, (b) Llanbedr, (c) Manorbier and (d) Ty Groes of the Thunderbird Regiment Royal Artillery of Portsmouth and Gosford at the time of the Aer Lingus accident on 24 March 1968. [82275]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
The unit referred to, more properly known as the 457 Heavy Air Defence Regiment Royal Artillery (TA), was based at Portsmouth with one battery at Gosport. It was disbanded on 1 April 1967--almost a year before the Aer Lingus Viscount crashed into the Irish Sea. The establishments listed played no part in the events of that day. It is therefore extremely unlikely that the employees at those establishments or any other MOD employee would have any information concerning the causes of the crash. Nevertheless, I can repeat the assurances already given by my officials to the Irish authorities that if any MOD employee, military or civilian, had any information which could help determine the causes of the crash, there would be no inhibition or restriction whatsoever as to its disclosure to the Irish Accident Investigation Officials.
Mr. Gardiner:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Army Technical Support Agency for 1999-2000. [82895]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
The Chief Executive of the Army Technical Support Agency has been set the following 5 Key Targets for 1999-2000.
29 Apr 1999 : Column: 248
Ms Squire:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom forces have been committed to Operation Allied Force; and if he will make a statement. [83122]
Mr. George Robertson:
I have today authorised the committal of a significant number of additional RAF aircraft to Operation Allied Force, the NATO air and naval action. We are committing an additional four Harrier GR7 ground attack aircraft, four Tornado GR1 and a Tristar tanker to Operation Allied Force in response to a request from SACEUR for additional air assets. These aircraft will join the more than 700 UK and other allied aircraft already involved in air operations in the Balkans.
Including the deployments I am announcing today, the following UK units, or elements thereof, are currently committed to Operation Allied Force:
1. To influence equipment design by obtaining formal tasking from Project Managers/Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) Managers in at least 80 per cent. of designated ILS projects.
2. To provide a complete and accurate answer to at least 94 per cent of ad hoc inquiries within 2 working days.
3. To despatch new and reprinted technical publications within the period from receipt of demand as follows:
(a) For Priority demands, 90 per cent. within 5 working days and,
(b) For Routine demands, 90 per cent. within 24 working days.
4. To complete at least: 90 per cent. of Operational projects, 75 per cent. of Priority A projects and 60 per cent. of Priority B projects before the target date agreed with the customer.
5. To satisfy at least 92 per cent. of customers in the handling of technical projects.
Royal Navy
HMS Invincible
HMS Newcastle
HMS Iron Duke
HMS Grafton
HMS Splendid
RFA Fort Austin
RFA Bayleaf
7 Sea Harrier FA2 aircraft
10 Sea King helicopters
In addition, HMS Turbulent is currently patrolling in the area.
Royal Air Force
16 Harrier GR7s
12 Tornado GR1s
3 E3-D Sentry AWACS
4 Tristar tankers
4 VC10 tankers
1 Nimrod.
Kosovo
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the cost of restoring Kosovan (a) infrastructure and (b) housing to March 1999 levels. [82475]
Mr. Foulkes: It is impossible at this stage to make a reliable estimate of the costs of restoring infrastructure and housing in Kosovo. An early needs assessment will be part of the process for planning refugee return and longer term reconstruction, which was begun by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and her colleagues from the US, French, German and Italian development ministries at their meeting in London on 22 April.
Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how the additional £20 million funding recently announced by her Department for the Kosovar refugees is being spent. [82668]
Mr. Foulkes:
We are funding airlifts and the necessary logistical support to overcome the constraints on delivering international assistance into the region and to internal movements of supplies. We have put in aircraft
29 Apr 1999 : Column: 249
handling teams at Tirana and Skopje airports and a trucking convoy operation from Durres port in Albania. We are working with NATO and UNHCR to establish and run refugee centres in Albania and Macedonia. We have provided specialist personnel to strengthen agency capacity in key areas such as healthcare and camp security and have also funded a range of projects of international agencies and NGOs. Full details of the assistance provided by DFID have been deposited in the Library of the House.
Mr. Streeter:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she has evaluated for the movement of refugees from Macedonia to Albania. [82669]
Mr. Foulkes:
We have received no specific proposals for the movement of refugees from Macedonia to Albania. It is normal practice for refugees to be cared for in the first country in which they seek safety. Any movement to third countries should be entirely voluntary--we have made clear our concern to the Macedonian Government about the way in which people were initially dispatched to other countries, including Albania, without their consent. It must also take into account the hosting capacity of the receiving country--Albania has already received over 350,000 refugees from Kosovo, and facilities there are stretched.
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