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UK/VSC 501 System
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of installing the UK/VSC 501 system on the 18 Land Rovers and the Hagglunds BV206 vehicles currently being delivered to the Royal Marines. [108591]
Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 9 February 2000.
9 Feb 2000 : Column: 162W
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the cost to the Ministry of Defence of installing the UK/VSC 501 satellite system on the 18 Land Rovers and the Hagglunds BV206 vehicles being delivered to the Royal Marines. This matter falls to me for answer within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
This procurement provided for the upgrade of 18 MOD-owned Land Rover-mounted VSC 501 terminals together with the development and production of two new terminals on MOD-owned
Hagglunds BV206 vehicles. The total cost of the work was £11M and the vehicles were delivered between March and September 1999.
This cost includes the procurement of spares, training, equipment documentation and supporting infrastructure to provide the users with full terminal functionality and connectivity.
Racism (Armed Forces)
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department has taken to improve racial equality in the armed forces in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [108744]
Mr. Spellar: The Armed Forces continue to work hard to develop an organisational culture that welcomes racial diversity and places the highest priority on tackling racism within the Services. Within the framework of the Partnership Agreement with the Commission for Racial Equality, the cornerstone for Service racial equality policies, the Armed Forces are committed to reflecting more closely the rich ethnic balance of our society, and to be a beacon for others in the promotion of racial equality.
During the last 12 months the Armed Forces Equal Opportunities goal was published on 22 March 1999, Official Report, column 10W, and seeks to achieve universal acceptance and application of a working environment free from harassment, intimidation and unlawful discrimination, in which all have equal opportunity, consistent with our legal obligations, to realise their full potential in contributing to the maintenance and enhancement of operational effectiveness. The Armed Forces respect and value every individual's unique contribution, irrespective of their race, ethnic origin, religion or gender and without reference to social background or sexual orientation.
The Service Heads of Chaplaincy are currently working with the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh Religious Advisers to the Armed Forces to establish a network of "Chaplains" from minority faiths in order to ensure that the spiritual and moral needs of Service personnel from minority faiths are provided for. Additionally, as part of the Armed Forces' aim to cater for all special religious dietary requirements, Vegetarian, Halal and Kosher Operational Ration Packs have been introduced.
Education and awareness of equality issues is central in the drive to eradicate unacceptable behaviour in the Armed Forces. Comprehensive equal opportunity training is undertaken widely across the Services in addition to the specialist training provided by the Tri-Service Equal Opportunities Training Centre at Shrivenham.
The Armed Forces continue to stress their policy of zero tolerance towards all forms of racial discrimination and harassment.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the value of that part of the contract between his Department and Shorts Missile Systems that will be spent in the United Kingdom; [108749]
9 Feb 2000 : Column: 163W
Dr. Moonie:
This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 9 February 2000:
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what study he is making of the long-term effects of Sarin. [108464]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 7 February 2000]: The Department is at present undertaking no specific study into any possible long-term effects of exposure to the nerve agent Sarin. There is, however, both on-going and completed MOD funded research which will inform, in general terms, our understanding of the effects of nerve agents. The results from two earlier studies on the effects of low levels of exposure to Sarin have been published: the first appeared in the "Journal of Human and Experimental Toxicology" in 1996 (Vol 15, pages 369-375); and the second in the "Journal of Psychopharmacology" in 1999 (Vol 13, pages 128-135).
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he and his officials have held with the United States Government about the future of Fylingdales in Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [108664]
Mr. Hoon
[holding answer 7 February 2000]: I have discussed with the US Defense Secretary, William Cohen, the possible US requirement for facilities in the UK to support the US National Missile Defence (NMD) programme. We have received no formal request from the US Administration regarding Fylingdales, nor would we expect any until after a US decision on whether or not to proceed towards deployment of the NMD system.
Mr. Letwin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence was used by his investigators to determine the weather conditions affecting the coastline on the Mull of Kintyre in the last 40 seconds before impact of RAF Chinook ZD 576. [109119]
9 Feb 2000 : Column: 164W
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 8 February 2000]: The RAF Board of Inquiry obtained evidence relating to weather conditions from the Meteorological Office, as well as from several witnesses who were in the area at the time of the accident.
Mr. Letwin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received about whether the Mull of Kintyre was covered or only partly covered in cloud as RAF Chinook ZD 576 made its final approach on 2 June 1994. [109121]
Mr. Spellar
[holding answer 8 February 2000]: The RAF Board of Inquiry found that the weather was very poor, with cloud and hill fog extending from below the lighthouse level (300 ft) to at least the summit of Beinn na Lice (1,400 ft), the highest point on the southern tip of the Mull.
Mr. McGrady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what feasibility study was undertaken in respect of the land at Thiepval barracks; if he will make a statement on the options contained in the report; which option was chosen; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [109082]
Dr. Moonie:
The land at Thiepval barracks was last subject to a major review in 1997. The resulting report contained classified information regarding the layout of the barracks and proposed development. I am therefore withholding information on the content of that report under Exemption 1a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning army communications in the Balkans. [109582]
Mr. Spellar:
As part of my Department's on-going efforts to reduce overstretch in the Army, I am pleased to announce that a contract has been let to provide for less manpower-intensive and more modern communications equipment in the Balkans. The contract, with BAe Systems, will provide for wide area communications in support of the UK's contribution to the NATO Multi National Divisions in Bosnia and Kosovo. While maintaining the UK's responsibility to NATO's peacekeeping forces, it will enable us to bring home some 150 Royal Signals personnel by the end of the year. It is also an excellent example of the SMART Procurement Initiative by demonstrating the advantages of working closely together with industry to deliver the equipment our front-line troops need. The contract is specific to the Balkans theatre of operations and does not affect the Army's wider communications requirements. The cost of this equipment will be met from the Contingency Reserve.
(2) how many high-velocity missiles are to be supplied by Shorts Missile Systems under their contract with his Department. [108748]
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the value of that part of the contract between the Ministry of Defence and Shorts Missile Systems that will be spent in the United Kingdom. You also asked how many high velocity missiles are to be supplied by Shorts Missile Systems under their contract with the Department. These matters falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
I presume both questions refer to the High Velocity Missile contract placed on 6 December 1999. The value of that part of this contract that will be spent in the United Kingdom is 98% of the overall contract cost which as stated in the press release is around £200M. I am afraid that I am unable to let you know how many missiles have been ordered as it is considered that the release of this information would be harmful to our national security interests and would also be in breach of a third party's commercial confidences. I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 1 (Defence, security and international relations) and Exemption 13 (Third party's commercial confidences) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
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