Specific Inquiries
TERRITORIAL ARMY RESTRUCTURING
69. The Committee undertook the examine the decisions
on restructuring of the Territorial Army which flowed from the
announcement made in the SDR that its establishment was to be
cut from 59,000 to 40,000. Our First Report of the current session
on the announcements made in a statement by the Secretary of State
on 17th November 1998, and expanded in the document Modern
Forces for the Modern World: A Territorial Army for the Future,
was published on 11 February 1999.[67]
THE FUTURE OF NATO
70. Following our inquiry into the current round
of NATO enlargement last year, the Committee resolved to produce
a Report on the wider questions on the future of NATO before its
50th anniversary summit which is to be held in Washington on 23rd-25th
April. Our terms of reference are:
- the development of NATO's New Strategic Concept
prior to its adoption at the Washington Summit;
- to consider these issues particularly in the
context of the international situation and changing emphasis in
NATO's tasks from preparation for strategic attack to peacekeeping
and other roles;
- to consider the process of the accession of the
Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland to NATO, and the case for further
enlargement;
- to consider the continuing applicability of the
North Atlantic Treaty and the military structure of NATO to its
new roles and any new Strategic Concept.
The government's new initiatives on the development
of the European Security and Defence Identity within the Common
Foreign and Security Policy will also necessarily form a focus
of our inquiry. We intend to report to the House shortly after
Easter.
DEFENCE RESEARCH EXPENDITURE
71. There is considerable discussion in military
circles about the so-called 'revolution in military affairs' (a
largely US term) which we are supposed currently to be undergoing.
In essence, this refers to the profound impact that the information
technology revolution, and other cutting-edge scientific developments
in areas such as biotechnology and nanotechnology, may have on
future weapons systems and perhaps the very nature of warfare
itself. Research undertaken now will produce the weapons and defences
of 10 or 20 years in the future. We therefore intend to take a
critical look at the current level and nature of investment in
defence research.
72. A number of key initiatives are coming to a conclusion,
which will have an impact in this area, including: the next round
of the 'Foresight' initiative for giving strategic direction to
research; a fundamental review of defence research expenditure
by the MoD's Chief Scientific Adviser, currently being considered
by Ministers; the new Defence Diversification Agency operating
since January 1999; and, later in the year, the likely establishment
of a public-private partnership to deliver DERA services. Terms
of reference for the inquiry are:
- the types of defence research needed, and why
it is important;
- the building-blocks needed for protecting and
improving the UK's defence research base, including strategic
planning, adequate funding, technology transfer, collaboration
and other key factors;
- against these criteria, establishing the current
health of defence research in the UK; and
- how current initiatives may help or hinder, including
the establishment of the Diversification Agency and increased
private sector involvement in DERA.
DEFENCE-RELATED INFORMATION TO PARLIAMENT
73. We have commented elsewhere in this report on
areas of dissatisfaction about the quality of, or refusals to
provide, information from the MoD. Our proposed inquiry into resource
accounting and budgeting will address the quality and content
of financial information from the MoD, and we intend to comment
on the implications of newly structured Estimates and Accounts.
As a companion piece to this inquiry, we also intend to look more
broadly at the provision of other types of information, including
parliamentary questions and statements, and the MoD's set piece
reports which the MoD are revising (there will be no Statement
on the Defence Estimates in 1999, but it will be replaced
by a more forward-looking, policy-focussed White Paper). We intend
also to consider the impact of proposed freedom of information
legislation in this area, and will be considering the draft bill
in this context when it is published. We shall seek a clearer
and more 'justiciable' definition from the MoD of what constitutes
'advice to Ministers'.
MOD POLICE AND GUARDING
74. The outcome of reviews on the Military Provost
Guard Service Pilot Scheme and the Employment of Military Defence
Police are shortly expected to be published; subjects in which
our predecessors took a great interest.
75. In its Second Report of Session 1983-84,[68]
and Second Report of Session 1984-85,[69]
the Committee concentrated on the security of nuclear bases and
the security arrangements for Royal Ordnance Factories. In its
Sixth Report of Session 1989-90,[70]
the Committee returned to these issues and also inquired into
the problems arising from the use of commercial security companies
for the supply of guarding. The Committee also considered proposals
for guarding arrangements in its report on the Defence Costs Study.[71]
Our predecessors' most recent report[72]
concentrated on the consequences of the Ministry of Defence Police
becoming an Executive Agency, and the proposals for the Military
Provost Guard Service, a military guard service comprising of
soldiers on limited service engagements. We intend to return to
these questions in an inquiry beginning later in this session.
DEFENCE MEDICAL SERVICES
76. A major restructuring of Defence Medical Services
was prefigured in the SDR, and further announcements were made
in December 1998.
77. The Committee intends to look at these proposals
carefully, including that for the closure of the Haslar military
hospital in Portsmouth, and will be taking evidence from Ministers
and the Defence Secondary Care Agency amongst others.
STRATEGIC SUPPLY SECURITY
78. Our joint inquiry with the Trade and Industry
Select Committee on Aspects of Defence Procurement and Industrial
Policy flagged up a six-nation initiative, then in its early stages,
to introduce measures to facilitate industry rationalisation and
collaboration. One of the themes covered was the issue of security
of supplies from other countries, and the MoD's recently announced
intention to let an ammunition contract outside the UK rather
than to Royal Ordnance (the only UK company with a propellent
manufacturing capability) again draws this issue into sharper
focus. The Committee will therefore be examining this proposed
contract more closely.
67 First Report, Session 1998-99, The Strategic Defence
Review, Territorial Army Restructuring, HC 70 Back
68
The Physical Security of Military Installations in the United
Kingdom, HC397 Back
69
Security at Royal Ordnance Factories and Nuclear Bases,
HC 217 Back
70
Physical Security at Military Installations, HC 171 Back
71
Eighth Report, Session 1993-94, The Defence Costs Study,
HC 655 Back
72
Eighth Report, Session 1995-96, Ministry of Defence Police
and Guarding, HC 189 Back
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