| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Merlin Helicopters
Mr. Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first four Merlin helicopters ordered by the RAF will be in service. [138796]
Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Eric Martlew, dated 22 November 2000:
- I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about when the first four Merlin helicopters ordered by the RAF will be in service. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
- In June 2000 the Merlin Mk3 formal In Service Date was achieved with delivery of the sixth helicopter. This milestone enabled the start of RAF aircrew training and was one element of a phased introduction into service. I assume the question refers to the handover of the first four helicopters to RAF Benson which had been scheduled for 6 November, but was postponed following an accident involving a RN Merlin MkI helicopter and the subsequent suspension of flying. A new date for the handover will be confirmed once flying resumes.
Cluster Bombs
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if further trials of cluster bombs are planned at the Luce Bay range. [139240]
Mr. Spellar: There are no current plans for further trials of cluster bombs at Luce Bay range.
Royal Navy Security Procedures
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has reviewed Royal Navy security procedures following the terrorist attack on the USS Cole; and if he will make a statement. [139348]
22 Nov 2000 : Column: 192W
Mr. Spellar: The recent terrorist attacks in Yemen highlight the continuing terrorist threat to UK and allied forces and interests. The threat to our personnel and assets and the security procedures we take to counter the threat are kept under constant review.
Defence Diversification Agency
Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Defence Diversification Agency; and if he will make a statement on its future. [139355]
Dr. Moonie: The Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) has made an impressive start in implementing our defence diversification policies. Well over 300 companies have been given help to solve their business problems by drawing on defence-based science and technology. We are currently considering the future of the agency, and how best to take forward our diversification policies, in the light of our Public Private Partnership plans for the Defence Evaluation Research Agency.
Strategic Tanker Aircraft
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if DERA Boscombe Down is being used as the public sector comparator or reference project in the private finance initiative procurement of future strategic tanker aircraft; [139163]
- (2) how many wide-bodied jet aircraft will be accommodated at DERA Boscombe Down under the proposed future strategic tanker aircraft project; [139162]
(3) if he will list the members of the four industry consortia involved in the future strategic tanker aircraft project; and which of them propose to operate the project from (a) RAF Brize Norton and (b) DERA Boscombe Down. [139160]
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 Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 22 November 2000:
- I am replying to your questions (139163, 139162 & 139160) to the Secretary of State for Defence about DERA Boscombe Down and the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) project. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
- FSTA is planned to begin replacing the RAF's current fleet of VC10 and Tristar tanker/transport aircraft from around 2007. We are currently investigating the potential for achieving a service based solution to the requirement under the Private Finance Initiative. Our core requirement is for an air to air refuelling service with some elements of air transport capability. It is not for a replacement operating base.
- The current fleet is based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. We are aware that DERA is promoting the Boscombe Down airfield as a potential operating base for FSTA and seeking to act as a commercial partner to the FSTA consortia. Our work on development of the Public Sector Comparator has concluded that RAF Brize Norton is likely to offer the most cost effective operating base for the FSTA service. However, I should stress that this is not a final decision: under a PFI procurement strategy we are prepared to consider an innovative bid that utilises an alternative base. It would need to demonstrate value for money whilst protecting operational capability.
22 Nov 2000 : Column: 193W
- The exact number of aircraft required to meet our output based requirements for the FSTA service will be for the consortia to propose. However, we currently understand that, whatever operating base is selected, between 20 and 25 wide-bodied civil aircraft will be needed. The following consortia submitted outline proposals in November 1999:
- Air Reach--Rolls Royce, and now including Peel Airports and ASIG
- BAE Systems
- Strategic Support Management--comprising SERCO and Spectrum Capital
- Eurotanker--comprising Brown and Root, FRA and Thomson CSF
- In submitting these proposals all of the consortia favoured RAF Brize Norton as the main operating base. However, the makeup of each consortium is still to be finalised and we have not yet launched the formal bidding process. It is, therefore, too early to say whether a Boscombe Down solution is likely to feature in the final bids. It will be for the individual consortia to decide how to frame their proposed solutions.
Animal Experiments
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many animals were moved between DERA and CAMR at Porton Down, Wiltshire in the last year for which figures are available. [138916]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 21 November 2000]: A small number of animals have been moved between DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down and its neighbour the Department of Health Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research (CAMR).
The tables show the numbers of animals involved from 1995 to 1999:
| Species/year | Number |
|---|---|
| Rhesus monkeys | |
| 1997 | 14 |
| Late 1996/early 1997 | 14 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| Rats | |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1995 | 40 |
| Species/year | Number |
|---|---|
| Mice | |
| 1999 | 28 |
| 1996 | 180 |
| 1995 | 60 |
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the animal procedures (a) being conducted at and (b) planned for the area known as Hard Target at Porton Down. [138915]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 21 November 2000]: DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down has not undertaken any procedures involving living animals at the site on the Porton Down Range known as Hard Target, and none are planned.
22 Nov 2000 : Column: 194W
However, procedures under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have been undertaken at another site on the Porton Range which is several hundred metres from Hard Target.
This research was undertaken on anaesthetised animals to validate physical models used to predict human vulnerability to explosions and the performance of candidate protection systems. Additionally, anaesthetised animals were also used to validate the performance of personal blast protection clothing to protect military personnel from the effects of explosions.
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many genetically modified animals were used in procedures, broken down by species, at Porton Down in each year for the last five years. [138917]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 21 November 2000]: DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down uses only one genetically modified animal species, the mouse, in its research.
The table shows the numbers of genetically modified mice used in procedures, as reported to the Home Office, for the past five years.
| Year | Procedures |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 120 |
| 1996 | 191 |
| 1997 | 75 |
| 1998 | 333 |
| 1999 | 259 |
Iraq
Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each type of ordnance released by UK aircraft in response to violations of the southern No-Fly Zone in Iraq since 20 December 1998, stating in each case the proportion they represent of the overall tonnage of ordnance released by UK aircraft since that date, the estimated cost per unit and the estimated cost of stock replacement in each category; and if he will make a statement. [139704]
Mr. Hoon: Between 20 December 1998 and 17 November 2000, the UK has employed only precision guided munitions over the southern No-Fly Zone. Some 85 per cent., by weight, were Paveway II (1,000 lb) Laser Guided Bombs at a unit cost of some £37,000. There are no plans to replace this weapon once current stocks are exhausted. The balance were Paveway III (2,000 lb) Laser Guided Bombs for which the current unit and replacement cost is some £85,000.
These precision guided weapons were only employed in self-defence against the Iraqi Integrated Air Defence System, which continues to target coalition aircraft carrying out humanitarian patrols.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |