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Special Advisers
Mr. Tyrie:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he will reply to the question from the hon. Member for Chichester of 22 April Ref (82417) on special advisers; [89064]
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Mr. George Robertson:
I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Gerald Howarth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who provided to the Saville Inquiry the series of documents released in October 1998 to lawyers acting for those killed or wounded in Londonderry on 30 January 1972, with particular reference to the document which identified the names, rank, number and appointment of individual soldiers; and by the authority of which Government Department they were handed to the Saville Inquiry. [88812]
Mr. Ingram:
I have been asked to reply.
I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each location where the United Kingdom has tested (a) chemical weapons, (b) biological weapons and (c) bacteriological weapons; and what steps have been taken to monitor and clean the locations after the tests. [89734]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British forces personnel are currently stationed in Germany; and at what annual cost. [90173]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the provision of briefing, communications and military welfare services for the families of Territorial Army personnel and reservists from all three services on tours of duty abroad. [90261]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Chidgey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the early release of the contract to purchase the second tranche (block 2) of the Sea Wolf missile fusing system. [90167]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 13 July 1999]: The contract for the Sea Wolf missile fuse was placed in 1997 and there is no requirement for further purchases at this time. Turning to the Sea Wolf missile itself, we are
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currently engaged in pre-contractual negotiations with the Prime Contractor, Matra BAe Dynamics (MBD), on the final tranche of the missile requirement, which is known as Block 2. Subject to the outcome of these discussions, we plan to place the Block 2 contract later this year.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the use of Kapton insulation in military aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [91574]
Mr. Spellar:
Kapton is a trademarked material. It is one of a range of polyamide coverings used to insulate aircraft wires. The MOD has been aware of potential problems associated with polyamide insulated wires since they were first identified in 1985. Accordingly the use of polyamide insulated wires in MOD aircraft is reviewed regularly. Work has included a detailed assessment of each aircraft installation; a review of defence standards on aircraft wiring; and work with the British Standards Institute to develop standards that are suitable for all airborne electrical wires and cables. We have also developed clear procurement guidelines and improved inspection and husbandry techniques. Decisions about wiring installations on MOD aircraft are made by experienced engineers who are responsible for assessing the risks and benefits, and for making safety and value judgments accordingly.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Apache helicopters his Department is planning to acquire; at what cost; what reassessment has been made of their strategic role following the Kosovo conflict; and if he will make a statement. [91874]
Mr. George Robertson:
We are acquiring 67 WAH-64 Apache attack helicopters at an estimated cost of some £3.1bn, including munitions and a 30-year training contract. We are currently studying the US Army's report into the deployment of Apache to the Balkans. It is too early to draw any firm conclusions, but we will take full account of any lessons for the aircraft's role.
Mr. Alan Williams:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what analysis has been undertaken of the effectiveness of the Apache helicopter since the Kosovo campaign. [92477]
Mr. George Robertson:
We are currently studying the US Army's report into the deployment of US Army Apaches to the Balkans. It is too early to draw any firm conclusions, but we will take a full account of any lessons for the aircraft's role with the British Army.
Mr. Alan Williams:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Apache helicopters are (a) in service and (b) on order for the RAF. [92494]
Mr. Spellar:
There are currently no Apache helicopters in service with the British Army. Sixty-seven WAH-64 Apache attack helicopters are on order. They will be operated by the Army.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) the total trained requirement and (b) the
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total trained strength of the (i) Royal Artillery, (ii) Royal Engineers, (iii) Royal Signals, (iv) Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, (v) Royal Logistic Corps and (vi) Royal Army Medical Service. [91593]
Mr. Doug Henderson
[holding answer 19 July 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the development of personal tags capable of the electronic storage of personal information including medical records. [92166]
Mr. Doug Henderson
[holding answer 20 July 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Boswell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom service personnel have been disabled in the course of their duties in Bosnia during the last three years; and what percentage of these have been found alternative work within the armed forces. [92215]
Mr. George Robertson
[holding answer 21 July 1999]: Information on injuries occurring to military personnel serving in Bosnia is not collected in a format which would enable identification of personnel who have become disabled, as defined in the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act.
Mr. Matthew Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which organisation within the United States Department of Defence his Department is holding discussions to obtain replacements of stocks of Tomahawk missiles used in the Kosovo theatre; on what date these discussions began; and when his Department expects to conclude these discussions. [92254]
Mr. George Robertson:
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 27 July 1999:
Mr. Viggers:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current use and the planned future use of the Army Medical Centre buildings at Millbank. [92458]
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Mr. Spellar:
I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92649]
Mr. George Robertson
[holding answer 23 July 1999]: In accordance with the terms of the Ministerial Code, Ministers are required always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. I last travelled by train in the course of my departmental duties on 18 November 1998. In addition, I frequently travel to and from my constituency by train, most recently on 18 July 1999.
(2) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) of 31 March 1999, Official Report, column 674, on special advisers, if he will give the average cost per head for each official and adviser for the trips listed. [82417]
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about our negotiations with the United States Department of Defense for the replacement of stocks of TOMAHAWK missiles used in Kosovo. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
Discussions, which began on an informal basis in April, are being held with the Programme Executive Office Cruise Missiles and Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles (PEO(CU)) in the US Department of Defense. These are expected to conclude at the end of August with the placement of a contract.
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