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Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the US Government regarding the US Senate's refusal to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. [95243]
Mr. Hoon: We have made clear to the US Government our deep disappointment with the US Senate's vote against US ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. We welcome the US Government's expression of strong continuing support for the Treaty. We will continue to work with the US Government and all other ratifiers and signatories for the Treaty's entry into force as soon as possible.
RAF Menwith Hill
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the new security fence, including cameras, recently erected at RAF Menwith Hill; and what proportion of the costs was met by his Department. [95744]
Mr. Spellar: The construction of the new security fence at RAF Menwith Hill is being funded by the US Government. The UK contribution is limited to some administrative costs relating to professional fees and management of the works programme to which some £24,000 has been allocated to date. The total cost of the project is a matter for the US authorities.
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Articles of the (a) Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty and (b) Outer Space Treaty, which govern the use of RAF Menwith Hill (i) as part of the National Missile Defense for the USA and (ii) as part of the Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS). [95747]
Mr. Spellar: The United Kingdom is not party to the Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty. Questions on its interpretation should be addressed to the USA and Russia. Article IV of the Outer Space Treaty requires that the moon and other celestial bodies should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes; prohibits placing weapons of mass destruction in orbit, on the moon or on other celestial bodies; and prohibits placing military facilities, conducting military manoeuvres, or the testing of any type of weapons on the moon and other celestial bodies. It imposes no limitations on other military activities in outer space.
Service Personnel (Compensation)
Mr. Corbett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish a consultation document following the comprehensive review of arrangements for compensating service personnel or their dependants killed or injured while on service. [95732]
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Mr. Spellar:
We hope to make an announcement later this year.
Mr. Donaldson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what other uses he envisages for the land which will become available inside Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn following the planned demolition of married quarters. [95102]
Mr. Spellar:
We aim to use some of the land to build a new Garrison Church, to replace the old church which was damaged in the bombing of Tiepval Barracks in 1996, and also to provide improved security arrangements for vehicle parking within the Barracks. The remaining land will provide much-needed flexibility in planning the future layout and utility of the barracks.
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Adjutant-General's Army Retention Study will be completed; when the findings will be made public; and if he will make a statement. [95524]
Mr. Spellar:
The Army's Retention Study is a six-month strategic review to examine the effectiveness of present policies, which includes undertaking field research, and making recommendations for improvements. The work is being carried out by the Hay Management Group and the Institute for Employment Studies, who will report their findings to the Adjutant-General on 30 November 1999. The Retention Study was commissioned to inform the Army's personnel management policies and there are currently no plans to publish the findings externally.
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the initiatives that have come directly from the Service Families Task Force; and if he will make a statement. [95523]
Mr. Spellar:
The Service Families Task Force works across Government to tackle the problems caused by the mobile lifestyle of Service personnel and their families. It works with other Departments to address problems identified by the Service Families Associations. It has achieved some impressive results. These include: making it easier for Service spouses to claim Jobseeker's Allowance in the UK; the new DfEE Code of Practice on Schools Admission taking account of the particular needs of Service families; Service representation on Schools Admission Forums in areas where there are large populations of Service children; extra money for pre-five education for Service children in Northern Ireland; and 24 schemes in areas with large numbers of Service families to encourage dentists to take on more NHS patients. Work on other issues is continuing.
The Service Families Task Force is an example of the importance the Government attach to the needs of Service families. A full account of our family friendly policies is contained in our leaflet "A Special Message to Service Families From MOD Ministers", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
25 Oct 1999 : Column: 706
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the participating bodies on the Service Families Task Force; when the Task Force will next meet; if he will publish the agenda for the next meeting; and if he will make a statement. [95552]
Mr. Spellar:
I chair the Service Families Task Force. It brings together Ministers from across Government, including from the Department for Education and Employment, Department of Health, Department of Social Services, Scottish Office, and Northern Ireland Office, and separately, the chairs of the Service Family Associations--the Association of Royal Naval and Royal Marines Families, the Army Families Federation and Airwaves. It operates at three levels: a Ministerial Group; a Families Forum; and a Working Group of officials. The Ministerial Group last met on 21 September 1999 and will meet again in the new year. The Families Forum is due to meet on 15 November 1999, and will discuss a range of issues of interest to Service families. The Working Group meets as necessary to deal with issues as they arise.
The Service Families Task Force works across Government to ensure that the particular circumstances of Service families are taken into account in developing and implementing new policies. It is achieving good results.
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Government's policy on no first use of British nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement. [95735]
Mr. Hoon:
In conducting the Strategic Defence Review, the Government concluded that a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons would be incompatible with our and NATO's doctrine of deterrence, and that it would not further nuclear disarmament objectives.
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Department for Education and Employment guidance on schools admissions policy concerning the position of service children was issued and in what form; how it is to be implemented and enforced; and if he will make a statement. [95525]
Jacqui Smith:
I have been asked to reply.
DfEE guidance on School admissions policy was issued in February 1999 in the "Code of Practice--School Admissions". The guidance came into force on 1 April 1999. It is the responsibility of local education authorities to implement the guidance and for DfEE to enforce it. The Service Children's Education Agency is working closely with those LEAs with large populations of Service children, to ensure that they are treated equitably.
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the President of the Council if she will introduce a scheme for hon. Members to visit the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly, in links with visits to the European Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [93924]
25 Oct 1999 : Column: 707
Mrs. Beckett:
All hon. Members are already able to claim reimbursement for expenditure incurred visiting any part of the United Kingdom on parliamentary business under the extended travel scheme. It is the Government's stated hope that there will be links created at all levels between Members at Westminster and the devolved legislatures. However, access to the premises of the devolved legislatures is a matter for the bodies concerned.
Jackie Ballard:
To ask the President of the Council if an action plan for increasing the representation of women in public life has been (a) prepared by her Department and (b) published since November 1998. [94846]
Mrs. Beckett:
It is made clear to all bodies making recommendations for appointments or reappointments that they should consider whether women are properly represented on the bodies concerned. Of the 149 appointments made by Her Majesty in Council, by the Privy Council or by me as President, 55 (37 per cent.) are currently held by women. This compares with the position five years ago when, of 141 such appointees, 43 (30 per cent.) were women.
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