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Depleted Uranium
Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies or tests are currently being undertaken by or on behalf of the MOD into non- radioactive or contaminating substitutes for depleted uranium weapons and armour; and if he will make a statement. [95964]
Mr. Spellar:
MOD has for many years conducted research into a range of weapon and armour materials and designs. Depleted uranium provides a significant margin of operational effectiveness over other materials when employed in certain weapon systems. Research continues
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to include the search for potential alternatives to depleted uranium and to identify and characterise their performance and environmental impact.
Mr. Derek Twigg:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to improve retention in the Army; and if he will make a statement. [97207]
Mr. Spellar:
The Government inherited a shortfall in Army manpower, and recognise that improved retention is key to realising the goal to full manning. In line with
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the targets set in the SDR, they are committed to achieving that improvement and a number of initiatives are underway.
In recognition of the increasingly expeditionary nature of our tasks the operational welfare package has been improved and the Service Families Task Force is addressing a variety of issues which create domestic difficulties for our personnel. The Army's Human Resources Strategy includes a six-month review of the effectiveness of present Army retention policies. This work, which is being conducted by external consultants will listen to a wide range of opinions and make recommendations for improvements in the Army's personnel management policies.
We are also keeping operational commitments under close review. Our determination to ease the burden on the Army is demonstrated by the significant reduction in force levels in Bosnia announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 26 October 1999, Official Report, column 768.
In addition we have considered whether the minimum commitment for soldiers of only three years provides the best return for the Army and the best opportunities for the individual. We have concluded that it should be raised to four years. This will make a significant contribution to the Army's ability to fulfil its obligations and liabilities as set out in the SDR manning target. It will also allow more time for the individual to benefit from the excellent training and development opportunities in the Army, including the acquisition of new skills and recognised civilian and professional qualifications.
Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost to his Department of maintaining and prosecuting the defence of the northern and southern no-fly zones in Iraq each year since 1992, including projected figures for 1999; and if he will make a statement. [95970]
Mr. Hoon:
Our records do not separately identify expenditure incurred in maintaining the no-fly zones. However, the table sets out the overall additional expenditure incurred by my Department as a direct result of operations in the Gulf from 1992-93 onwards.
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1992-93 | 551 |
| 1993-94 | 179 |
| 1994-95 | 58 |
| 1995-96 | 14 |
| 1996-97 | 6 |
| 1997-98 | 16 |
| 1998-99 | 35 |
| 1999-2000 (estimate) | 28 |
Coalition patrols of the no-fly zones remain an essential humanitarian task in support of UN Security Council Resolution 688 as they prevent Saddam Hussein from using his airforce against the Iraqi people in the north and south. Since the end of Operation Desert Fox last December, Saddam has waged a systematic campaign against coalition aircraft carrying out these patrols. Some
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215 Iraqi aircraft have violated the No-fly Zones, and there have been over 500 other direct threats against our aircrew, including missile attacks and heavy anti-aircraft fire. Coalition responses are limited strictly to proportionate action in self-defence against Iraqi weapons and facilities, which pose a direct threat to our forces.
Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) planned order and (b) date of completion for each adaptation of Astute and Trafalgar class submarines to fire Tomahawk missiles; and if he will make a statement. [95968]
Mr. Hoon:
The adaptation of HMS Triumph to fire Tomahawk missiles was completed earlier this year. Work on HMS Trafalgar is in hand. It is currently planned that the adaptation of the remaining Trafalgar Class submarines will be completed by about 2006.
HMS Astute and all subsequent submarines in this class are planned to be built Tomahawk-capable. The first three boats of the Astute Class are due to enter service between 2005 and 2008.
The precise order and date of adaptation of Trafalgar Class submarines would assist in deducing the availability of TLAM-capable boats for operational deployment, given the limited number of submarines involved. I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the United Kingdom total requirement for Block III Tomahawk missiles; how many have been (a) delivered and (b) used; and when he expects the Royal Navy to have the full complement of missiles required. [95969]
Mr. Hoon:
The UK originally contracted to buy 65 Tomahawk missiles. Knowledge of the delivery schedule and the number used would assist a potential adversary to assess our stock level and operational capability. I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Mr. Menzies Campbell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 199-200, when the contract was signed with the United States Department of Defense for the replenishment on RN Tomahawk missiles; what are the delivery terms of the contract; how many replacement missiles will be purchased; at what cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [95974]
Mr. Hoon:
A contract for 20 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles was signed on 1 August 1999. The cost will be met from the Reserve. Knowledge of the delivery schedule would assist a potential adversary to assess our stock level and operational capability. I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
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Mr. Levitt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the recommended thermal insulation standard for pipework and ducting in his Department's PFI programmes; and in what proportion of contracts this standard is met. [94887]
Mr. Denham:
National Health Service Estates "Model Engineering Specification CO2: Thermal Insulation" specifies recommended insulation standards. The guidance is not mandatory and it is for NHS trusts to determine what is required for each scheme.
The Department does not hold information on what proportion of contracts meet this standard.
Mr. Green:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will reply to the letters of the hon. Member for Ashford of 22 April, 26 May, 12 July and 2 September concerning the case of Dr. A. Singh. [96107]
Mr. Denham:
I regret that due to an administrative error, the hon. Member's letter of 22 April was misfiled. I replied today.
Mr. Hammond:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the aggregate increase in uniform business rates payable by all NHS trusts and health authorities in England and Wales from 1 April 2000 as a result of the 2000 rating revaluation. [96256]
Mr. Denham:
The draft rating list will be published in December. The cost of unified business rates for the National Health Service in England will be dependent on the rate poundage and the extent of transitional relief. Decisions on these will be taken in January.
Disclosure of any provisional assessment of the impact of the rating revaluation is considered to be commercially sensitive and so premature disclosure would be inappropriate.
Information relating to Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend, the First Secretary to the National Assembly for Wales.
Mr. Peter Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health which general medical practice has the highest proportion of patients aged 85 years and over. [96325]
Mr. Hutton:
The information requested is not available centrally.
At 1 October 1998, in England as a whole, 7.3 per cent. of patients were aged 75 and over. A total of 34 practices had more than 20 per cent. of patients aged 75 and over. The distribution of these practices by health authority is shown in the table.
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| Region | Health authority | Number of practices |
|---|---|---|
| Anglian and North Thames | North West Anglia | 1 |
| Hillingdon | 1 | |
| North Essex | 4 | |
| South Thames | Bromley | 1 |
| East Kent | 3 | |
| East Sussex | 7 | |
| Brighton and West Sussex | 4 | |
| South and West | Dorset | 6 |
| North and East Devon | 2 | |
| Somerset | 2 | |
| South and West Devon | 1 | |
| North West | Morecambe Bay | |
| South Cheshire | 1 |
Source:
Department of Health General Medical Services Statistics
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