| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
RAF Menwith Hill
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what authority the US Government sought from his Department before commencing the construction of an anti-ballistic missile system at RAF Menwith Hill. [108893]
Mr. Spellar: RAF Menwith Hill is the site for the European Relay Ground Station of the US Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS). SBIRS is designed to detect and provide information on the launch of ballistic missiles. As Her Majesty's Government retain legal ownership and control of all sites made available to the United States Visiting Forces in the UK, it was necessary for the US to seek permission to construct the SBIRS European Relay Ground Station at RAF Menwith Hill. Permission was granted in March 1997.
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department has received from the French Government in respect of anti-ballistic missile developments at RAF Menwith Hill. [108897]
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the anti-ballistic missile defence system being constructed at RAF Menwith Hill will provide protection from attack for the United Kingdom. [108895]
Mr. Spellar:
RAF Menwith Hill is the site for the European Relay Ground Station of the US Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS). SBIRS is designed to detect and provide information on the launch of ballistic missiles, but offers no physical protection. It will upgrade the detection and warning capabilities that currently contribute to the defence and security of the UK and NATO.
8 Feb 2000 : Column: 111W
Mr. Don Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for the financial year 1998-99 the number and total value of contracts let by his Department with external consultants and advisers that have (a) been put out to competitive tender, (b) not been put out to competitive tender and (c) been let on a non-commercial basis, stating in each case the names of the individuals or organisations that have carried out the work. [109065]
Dr. Moonie:
This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Maclennan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what supervisory arrangements are operated to monitor the use by foreign military forces of Garvie Island, Sutherland, as a target. [108992]
Mr. Spellar:
Any use of ranges at Garvie Island is governed by UK regulations and is directly supervised by UK military personnel.
Mr. Maclennan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has approved the use of Garvie Island in Sutherland for shelling by US warships; and if he will make a statement. [108991]
Mr. Spellar:
I have not approved Garvie Island in Sutherland for any use by US warships.
Mr. Maclennan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium-based ammunition is authorised for use at Garvie Island, Sutherland, by (a) UK forces and (b) overseas forces; and if he will make a statement. [108993]
Mr. Spellar:
Depleted uranium is not authorised for use at Garvie Island either by UK or overseas forces.
Mr. Maclennan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what arrangements exercises by non-UK forces are conducted involving the (a) shelling and (b) bombing of Garvie Island, Sutherland; and if he will make a statement. [108990]
Mr. Spellar:
The range at Garvie Island is open to use by members of NATO. All exercises are conducted under UK regulations and are under the direct control of UK military personnel. Garvie Island is used only by aircraft. There is no shelling of the island.
Ms Dari Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the PPP project for the Army Foundation College at Harrogate. [109357]
Mr. Spellar:
I am pleased to be able to say that a contract has been let to Defence Training Services Ltd., a joint venture between Jarvis Projects Ltd. and Halifax Bank, to provide and run a modern residential Army Foundation College at Harrogate, with the associated accommodation and infrastructure support services, for a period of 30 years. The military element of the training at the college will continue to be delivered by uniformed personnel. This investment of private finance and expertise will create a flagship college where young
8 Feb 2000 : Column: 112W
people will have a unique opportunity to gain qualifications combining vocational education with military leadership skills.
Ms Squire:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress has been made on strengthening links between the Royal Navy and the French Navy. [109358]
Mr. Spellar:
I am pleased to announce that HMS Victorious will shortly conduct a port visit to France. She will arrive in Brest on 11 February. This is the second visit of its kind, the first having taken place at Gibraltar in November 1998. The visit has been made possible as a result of the reduced operational tempo of our SSBN fleet, as implemented in the Strategic Defence Review.
Mr. Burnett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which vessel his Department plans to be used as a landing platform for helicopters over the next 10 years during the times when HMS Ocean is in refit. [108803]
Mr. Spellar:
On current plans HMS Ocean's first full refit will take place in about seven years' time. It is anticipated that the new Landing Platform Docks, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, currently being built, will cover the period of refit, along with an Invincible Class aircraft carrier in the Landing Platform Helicopter role.
Mr. Alan Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military actions carried out by Iraqi forces against Kurds and Sh'ia Muslims between 18 November and 15 December 1999 which required operational sorties by UK forces. [108434]
Mr. Hoon:
It is not for us to account for the actions of the Iraqi military over a specific period of time. It is clear, however, that Saddam's internal security organisations continue to persecute all opponents of the regime on the ground. Coalition patrols of the no fly zones prevent Saddam Hussein from using his air force to repress the Iraqi people in the north and south of Iraq. Previously he has made extensive use of helicopter gun ships to repress the Kurdish population in the north, as well as both fixed wing aircraft and helicopter gun ships to repress Sh'ia Muslims in the south. Given the extensive history of brutality by Saddam Hussein's regime, there is no reason to believe that he would not resume these tactics were we to cease patrols. Coalition patrols of the no fly zones remain an essential humanitarian task in support of UN Security Council Resolution 688; without our continued presence in the air, he would be free to use his air force to return to an all out assault.
Mr. Efford:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the change of Chief Executive at the Millennium Dome. [109501]
8 Feb 2000 : Column: 113W
Mr. Chris Smith:
Jennie Page has done a sterling job seeing the Millennium Dome through from its inception to opening, on time and on budget, on 31 December. The scale of this achievement should not be underestimated. However, it is the view of the NMEC Board, supported by the Shareholder on behalf of the Government, that a different approach and different skills are now needed to manage the project successfully during its year of operation. Jennie Page has resigned as Chief Executive of NMEC. The NMEC Board have appointed Pierre-Yves Gerbeau to succeed her. He took up his post yesterday. A copy of the Press Notice has been placed in the Libraries.
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money from National Lottery funding has been directed to projects in parliamentary constituencies in the London Borough of Wandsworth; and for what projects this funding has been used. [109052]
Kate Hoey:
I have placed a table showing National Lottery awards directed to projects based in parliamentary constituencies in the London Borough of Wandsworth (correct to 7 February 2000) in the Libraries of the House. This information is taken from the National Lottery Awards database which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributing bodies.
Mr. Reed:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the UK Athletics report into the drug nandrolone. [107655]
Kate Hoey:
UK Sport's review into the anabolic steroid nandrolone which I initiated in August last year, reported on 18 January after an intensive period of expert study and discussion lasting three months.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |