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DEFENCE
Battle Management Systems
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for instituting battle management systems and digitisation testbed configurations within the Royal forces. [99416]
Mr. Kilfoyle: Battle management systems are being introduced to optimise decision support in areas from crisis management to operations in theatre. The Joint Operational Command System (JOCS) provides this capability to the Permanent Joint Headquarters and its deployed headquarters and has been used on recent operations. All three services have programmes to deliver battle management systems which will integrate with JOCS. They include:
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A study is currently being conducted to explore the feasibility for a joint service test and reference facility to incorporate the current single Service reference centres in providing a joint digitization testbed. The programme is in the very early stages.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost to his Department of the Jaguars that were sent to India in the last three years. [104109]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 December 1999, Official Report, column 364W.
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department decided not to contribute to France's Helios 2 project. [104320]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
The MOD has neither sought nor received any proposals for direct UK participation in, or contribution to, France's Helios 2 programme. The UK, as a member of the Western European Union, is considering the potential of a number of satellite observation programmes to meet WEU requirements. The Helios 2 programme may be offered to meet these requirements.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the Government's budget has been allocated for defence research in the current financial year and in each of the past six years. [104361]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
Expenditure under "major customers' research budgets" in the Appropriation Accounts for the years in question is as follows:
The Command Support System for the Royal Navy. Currently being introduced into service, it provides for enhanced information systems and management functions between ships, submarines and shore headquarters.
The Army's Formation Battle Management System will provide a fully integrated and deployable command and control system from a Corps headquarters down to units. It will be linked with the Battle Group Battle Management System.
Joint Battlespace Digitization, which is in the early stages of development, aims to integrate operational information systems across the land, sea and air environments to enhance military capability in joint operations.
The RAF Command and Control Information System is currently being implemented. It will provide for the command and control of air assets from operational stations to headquarters. It is envisaged that it will develop towards the Joint Command System (Air) and integrate with other command systems.
| Financial year | Expenditure (£ million) |
|---|---|
| 1993-94 | 452.735 |
| 1994-95 | 534.754 |
| 1995-96 | 484.015 |
| 1996-97 | 533.421 |
| 1997-98 | 455.868 |
| 1998-99(4) | 460 |
| 1999-2000(4) | 457 |
(4) Forecast
These are net figures and at outturn prices (i.e. with no allowance for inflation). These figures differ from those published in the annual "Forward Look" publication on Government-funded science, engineering and technology because the latter are based on statistical categorisation of
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expenditure rather than resource allocations and include, for example, technology demonstrator programmes and loans and grants to DERA.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence from whom his Department has received representations supporting the leasing of C17 transports from the USA. [104404]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
Representations by several companies having a potential commercial interest in the Royal Air Force's acquisition of C17 transports have been forwarded by hon. Members. I am withholding details under Exemption 13 (third party's commercial confidences) of the Code of Practice on access to Government Information, on the grounds that a particular company's support for one option in a current competition is a matter potentially within that company's commercial interest.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requirement there will be for volunteers working within the cadet forces to be subject to checking with the Criminal Records Bureau. [106134]
Mr. Spellar:
Adults currently working within the cadet forces will not be subject to check with the Criminal Records Bureau, as their suitability has already been assessed by my Department. The Criminal Records Bureau will carry out checks on new adult volunteers who wish to work within the cadet forces when this service is provided to the public and voluntary sector.
Ann Clwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the (a) people and (b) organisations representing defence manufacturers who have made representations to his Department about arms sales to Zimbabwe over the last 17 months; and when such representations were made; [106951]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
The Department receives numerous inquiries, through face to face contacts, correspondence and over the telephone from people and organisations representing defence manufacturers inquiring about defence equipment sales opportunities worldwide. It is not practical to maintain detailed records of all such inquiries and the information requested is not available.
Shona McIsaac:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if each expression of interest in the purchase of RAF Finningley was followed up. [106946]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
Yes. Of the 11 expressions of interest following the 1996 marketing exercise, 10 of the parties were interviewed by our agents and the other decided to
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withdraw. Of the 15 new expressions of interest following the 1997 exercise, five of these withdrew, and our agents conducted interviews with all the others.
Shona McIsaac:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what methods expressions of interest in the purchase of RAF Finningley were sought. [106944]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
Our selling agents, Drivers Jonas of London, conducted an advertising campaign in 1996 and 1997 seeking expressions of interest through advertisements in the "Estates Gazette", a sale board at the site and contacting potential developers and other interested parties listed on their commercial database. A four-page colour brochure was also produced and sent to all inquirers. A detailed package of information was sent to those who requested it.
Shona McIsaac:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many expressions of interest have been received in connection with the purchase of RAF Finningley. [106943]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
Following the initial advertising campaign in 1996, 11 firm expressions of interest were received. The sale process was delayed to allow the Home Office to consider whether the site would be suitable for use as a prison. A subsequent advertising campaign in 1997 produced 23 firm expressions of interest (including eight reaffirmations from the 1996 campaign).
Shona McIsaac:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what process was used to determine the final purchaser of RAF Finningley. [106950]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
After receipt of detailed proposals, discussions and negotiations were conducted with the two highest bidders. Their bids were broadly similar, and substantially in excess of the other bids, but further inquiries were needed to determine the timing, certainty and full value of their proposals. Given the potential use of the site for a major civil airport, advice was also sought from DETR and from the Government Office for Yorkshire and Humberside. As a result of this process and a final best bid stage, Peel Holdings plc was selected as the preferred purchaser. The site was sold to them in June 1999.
Shona McIsaac:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what method was used to evaluate expressions of interest in the purchase of RAF Finningley. [106945]
Mr. Kilfoyle:
At interview all parties were evaluated on the basis of experience of developing similar sites, realism of development proposals including time scale, method of funding and a general assessment of their experience and ability. This resulted in a shortlist of six parties who were invited to provide detailed bids.
(2) how many representatives of arms manufacturers have made representations to (a) him, (b) his advisers and (c) officials about arms sales to Zimbabwe over the last 17 months; and if he will list the individuals and companies concerned, indicating the dates on which representations were made. [106940]
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