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Labour Committee on Ireland
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date permission was granted to conduct surveillance of the Labour Committee on Ireland; and for what period this surveillance was conducted. [122763]
Mr. Spellar: It has been the long-standing practice of successive Governments not to comment on alleged intelligence activities, which are covered by exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) documents and (b) photographs are held relating to the activities of the Labour Committee on Ireland; and how many files on the Labour Committee on Ireland are currently being maintained. [122764]
Mr. Spellar: It has been the long-standing practice of successive Governments not to comment on alleged intelligence activities, which are covered by exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Bloody Sunday
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 17 February 2000, Official Report, column 648W, on Bloody Sunday, if he will make a further statement about the destruction of self-loading rifles. [122765]
23 May 2000 : Column: 464W
Mr. Hoon: The Ministry of Defence/West Mercia police investigation, which is urgently investigating the whereabouts and possible recovery of the surviving so-called 'Bloody Sunday rifles' and the destruction of two rifles that had been previously identified, is still under way. It would be inappropriate to comment further until this investigation is complete.
Mr. Liam Clarke
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has asked the Metropolitan police Special Branch to conduct an investigation into Mr. Liam Clarke. [122757]
Sunday Times (Injunction)
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whom he consulted before seeking an injunction against The Sunday Times and others preventing publication of information obtained from the person known as Martin Ingram. [122758]
Mr. Spellar: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence obtained advice on this matter from a number of sources within Government. The Secretary to the independent Defence Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee was also consulted.
Mr. Tony Geraghty
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the 1998 Ministry of Defence police search of the home of journalist Tony Geraghty; how many hours this search lasted; how many personnel and of what rank were present; what items were removed from the premises; what items have been retained by the Ministry of Defence police; what items have been passed on to other agencies; what items have been returned to the owner; what charges were brought against Mr. Geraghty; what considerations led to charges being dropped; and what compensation has been offered to Mr. Geraghty. [122760]
Mr. Spellar: The additional cost of the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) search of the home of Tony Geraghty was £606.00. The search lasted just under seven hours and was conducted by two detective sergeants and four detective constables. A computer, associated equipment and documentation was taken by the MDP. Items for use in a forthcoming court case involving one of Mr. Geraghty's associates have been retained by the MDP. Items relevant to a West Mercia police investigation, concerning Mr. Geraghty, were passed to that Force. All items not required for the forthcoming court case and not passed to West Mercia police have been returned to Mr. Geraghty. Mr. Geraghty was charged under section 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1989 on 13 May 1999. The decision not to proceed against Mr. Geraghty is a matter for the Attorney General. My Department has not made an offer of compensation to Mr. Geraghty.
23 May 2000 : Column: 465W
Armoured Support Vehicles
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will ensure that the requirement for armoured battle group support vehicles will be met by UK companies and that the vehicles will be built in the UK; and if he will make a statement; [122387]
- (2) what is the cost of meeting the requirement for armoured battlegroup support vehicles; when this requirement will be met; and if he will make a statement. [122385]
Dr. Moonie: We require in total about 1,000 vehicles to provide armoured support to the front line, the majority of which will be Armoured Battlegroup Support Vehicle. Deliveries are planned to begin by the end of the decade. The programme is currently at the concept stage and initial estimates indicate an acquisition cost of around £1.5 billion including early years of in-service support.
The procurement strategy has yet to be finalised, but will be based on achieving best value for money for the tax payer. The MOD has a policy of open international competition whenever this is possible. However, all procurement options will be investigated taking account of security of supply, UK technological capabilities and the benefits to the MOD of potential exports.
Departmental Housing Stock
Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the regulations he intends to implement on the disposal of MOD housing stock; and what discussions he has held with relevant local councils and housing associations to reach an early conclusion. [122110]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 17 May 2000]: The guidelines to which all Departments work when disposing of surplus property assets are contained in Chapter 32 of Government Accounting.
Houses in England and Wales which were included in the sale of service families accommodation to Annington Homes Ltd., are passed to the company for disposal in accordance with the terms of the sale.
When disposing of surplus housing owned by the Ministry of Defence my Department seeks to achieve the maximum return for the taxpayer generally. In most instances this is through sale on the open market.
Local authorities and Housing Associations formally become aware of our surplus housing through the planning and marketing process, and have the opportunity to take part in the purchase process should they wish to do so. There is of course extensive contact between officials in Defence Estates and local authorities on the range of estate planning and disposal issues.
It is our policy to dispose of surplus properties as soon as possible to enable their early and productive re-use.
Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Defence Housing Executive has reached a conclusion as to the method and timing of surplus MOD housing stock being released to council and housing association stock. [122109]
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Dr. Moonie [holding answer 17 May 2000]: There has been no change in the Defence Housing Executive's (DHE's) policy on the method and timing of the release of surplus Ministry of Defence housing stock to local authorities and housing associations.
The bulk of Service Families Accommodation (SFA) in England and Wales are held by the Ministry of Defence on an underlease from Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL). Properties which become surplus to military requirements are handed back to AHL for disposal. Where appropriate, the DHE does release properties to housing associations and local authorities for short term let, but the properties which are available are often not attractive to them.
Surplus SFA in Scotland is passed to Defence Estates (DE) who determine the appropriate disposal strategy. All relevant factors are taken into consideration and DE will normally liaise with the local authority housing division to ensure that they are made aware of the intention to offer housing for sale. This is intended to allow the council time to plan accordingly and to consider whether they may wish to bid for the properties when they are offered for sale.
Where appropriate, consideration can be given to a sale to a local authority or housing association by private treaty at open market value, in line with existing Treasury guidelines.
Armed Forces Personnel Costs
Ms Squire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the average annual cost of paying and accommodating 20,000 armed forces personnel and their families. [121804]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 16 May 2000]: The average annual cost of paying and accommodating 20,000 armed forces personnel and their families is £562 million. In calculating this figure, it has only been possible to take account of Pay, Employer's-Related National Insurance Contributions and Pensions contributions. Any calculation of overheads such as rents, rates, utilities costs, food, office equipment and services could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Joint NBC Regiment
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will place in the Library (a) the study and (b) the investment appraisal led by the Directorate of Joint Warfare on the final location of the Joint Nuclear Biological and Chemical Regiment; [123119]
- (2) if transport costs of (a) personnel and (b) vehicles were included in the investment appraisal which informed the decision to locate the Joint NBC Regiment at RAF Honington; and if he will make a statement. [123116]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 22 May 2000]: A copy of the investment appraisal will be placed in the Library of the House. I am withholding a copy of the study in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to defence, security and international relations.
23 May 2000 : Column: 467W
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