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St. Malo Accord
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress made in (a) planning for non-combatant evacuation operations, (b) organising joint exercises, (c) improving links between operational headquarters, (d) co-ordinating naval deployments, (e) exchanging information on peacekeeping activities, (f) millennium computer compliance solutions, (g) common resourcing of logistics and (h) arrangements for dealing with the media in the light of the St. Malo Accord; which units, offices and desks are involved; and when the next ministerial meeting to discuss these issues is planned. [89822]
Mr. George Robertson: Signature of the Letter of Intent on crisis management and operations has allowed good progress to be made in co-operation with France, as shown particularly in Kosovo operations. Specific examples of co-operation covered by the Letter of Intent are: the posting of liaison officers into operational headquarters; the attachment of HMS Somerset, and latterly HMS Grafton, to the French FOCH Carrier Task Group in the Adriatic during the Kosovo conflict; the joint signing ceremony in New York on 25 June of Memoranda of Understanding between our respective Governments and the UN on troop availability for UN peacekeeping operations; and co-operation on media handling during the Kosovo conflict.
Airborne Surveillance Capability
Mr. Cann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Government are taking to improve the UK's airborne surveillance capability. [90174]
Mr. Spellar:
We are improving the UK's airborne surveillance capability in several ways. We have announced our intention to buy ASTOR, a high technology airborne ground surveillance system, which will substantially enhance our current capability. We are also
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procuring RAPTOR, a long-range reconnaissance sensor pod to be fitted to Tornado GR4, which will provide a day/night real time capability. We are modifying the radar in the E-3D sentry aircraft to counter improvements in stealth technology and missile capabilities and we are also upgrading the electronic reconnaissance capability of the Nimrod R. Also, in addition to the Phoenix Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV system, which has already successfully entered service, we are considering procurement of further UAV systems for surveillance purposes.
Mr. Duncan Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much spending his Department (a) has incurred to date and (b) forecasts it will incur on preparations for possible United Kingdom entry into the European single currency; and if he will make a statement. [91181]
Mr. George Robertson
[holding answer 13 July 1999]: Any costs incurred to date would have been minor and accommodated within existing budgets. Their extent is not known centrally. Work is in train to establish processes for the identification and forecasting of possible future costs.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the reports on the US Army's experience of Chinook incidents and accidents which his Department has evaluated in the last 12 months. [90417]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
Over the last 12 months, the US Army have issued the following Safety of Flight Messages (SoFM) and Aviation Safety Action Messages (ASAM) as a result of incidents and accidents to their CH47 fleet. Each message has been evaluated for applicability to the RAF HC Mk 2/2A Chinooks and where appropriate the action taken is described as follows:
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Mr. Ottaway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the type of explosives that killed Lieutenant Gareth Evans and Sergeant Balam Rai in Kosovo; and if UK forces have been fully trained in the techniques and methods of disarming these explosives. [90392]
Mr. George Robertson:
The munitions were from CBU 87 cluster bombs. As it is not possible to disarm this type of munition, the method for disposal is to destroy them. All troops deploying to theatre are briefed on the correct procedures should they encounter mines, unexploded ordnance or other explosive devices.
ASAM--CH-47-98-ASAM-05 dated 17 September 1998--de-restricting the CH 47 fleet from roll on landings. Same details repeated within CH-47-ASAM-99-05 dated 22 April 1999.
MOD Action taken--issue of Servicing Technical Instruction (STI) STI/CHINOOK/318A dated 3 March 1999.
SoFM--CH-47-99-01 dated 30 January 1999--Main rotor synchronisation shaft bearing support bracket--check for adequate clearance.
MOD Action taken--issue of Preliminary Warning Instruction (PWI) PWI/CHINOOK/293 dated 27 May 1999.
ASAM--CH-47-99-ASAM-01 dated 9 February 1999--Mandatory maintenance requiring a one time inspection of Lag Dampers.
MOD Action taken--issue of PWI/CHINOOK/288A dated 4 June 1999.
ASAM--CH-47-99-ASAM-02 dated 16 February 1999--Mandatory maintenance requiring modifications to Boost Actuators.
MOD Action Taken--None required, no applicability, RAF only use post modified Boost Actuators.
ASAM--CH-47-99-ASAM-03 dated 23 February 1999--One time and recurring inspection of hoist/cargo hood control panel and water intrusion in cockpit.
MOD Action Taken--Awaiting advice from Boeing on applicability to RAF Chinook.
My Department has also evaluated an extract from the United States Army investigation report of a non-fatal Chinook incident in which the aircraft suffered an uncommanded 360 degree barrel roll. This incident result in ASAM CH-47-99-02 detailed above where no remedial action was required as the Chinook Mk2s in service with the RAF have an improved standard of actuators fitted which overcome the suspected cause of the US army incident.
ASAM--CH-47-99-ASAM-04 dated 16 March 1999--CH47D and 47E Fwd and Aft Longitudinal Cyclic Trim Yoke Bushing--Inspection and aircraft manual changes.
MOD Action Taken--None required--MOD already has adequate inspection procedures in place within the HC Mk2/2A aircraft maintenance manuals.
Waiting Times (By-pass Surgery)
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes there have been to the waiting times for heart by-pass surgery in each health trust since his answer of 18 March 1999, Official Report, columns 736-38. [87851]
Mr. Hutton: Information on waiting lists by specialty are published quarterly in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.
Drugs
Mr. Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many drugs have appeared in the NHS category D list in each of the last six months; and what is the average number of drugs which have appeared in the list over the last 12 months. [90052]
Mr. Denham: Between February 1999 and July 1999 the number of category D entries appearing in the Drug Tariff published by The Stationery Office each month were:
| Month (1999) | Number |
|---|---|
| February | 46 |
| March | 79 |
| April | 74 |
| May | 76 |
| June | 109 |
| July | 131 |
The average number listed per month between August 1998 and July 1999 was 60.
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Suffolk Health Authority
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) income and expenditure deficit or surplus and (b) the recurring deficit or surplus for Suffolk Health Authority for each of the past five years up to and including 1999-2000. [90360]
Mr. Denham: The information available is given in the table.
| Year | Surplus/(deficit) for the financial year | Recurring surplus/(deficit) |
|---|---|---|
| 1995-96 | (3,698) | (3,601) |
| 1996-97 | (4,300) | (9,271) |
| 1997-98 | (178) | (9,449) |
| 1998-99 | (13)-- | (13)-- |
| 1999-2000 | (13)-- | (13)-- |
(13) Not available
Notes:
1. 1993-94 is not comparable with subsequent years as the accounts included the provision of services which were transferred upon the establishment of a trust.
2. 1996-97 and 1997-98 are not comparable with previous years due to change in accounting policy and a reorganisation of health bodies. Departmental funding from cash drawing to an accrual figure.
3. Latest available figures are for 1997-98, therefore there are no figures for 1998-99 or for 1999-2000.
Sources:
Annual accounts of district health authorities 1993-94 to 1995-96
Annual accounts of the health authorities 1996-97 to 1997-98
Embryonic Stem Cells
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the controls on the importation of embryonic stem cells; and what estimate he has made of the number of such cells imported in the past year. [90624]
Ms Jowell: Research involving the removal of cells such as stem cells from human embryos is subject to strict control under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Such research would require a licence from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The importation of human embryos is also subject to the provisions of the Act.
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