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Troop Deployment (Europe)
35. Mr. Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on changes to his Department's spending plans on troop deployment in Europe as a result of the comprehensive spending review. [138608]
Mr. Hoon: As a result of the Spending Review settlement announced earlier this year the Defence Budget will increase in real terms by 1 per cent. between 2000-01 and 2003-04. This substantial funding increase will, over the period, provide £1,250 million of new money for defence, after allowing for inflation.
The settlement builds on the Strategic Defence Review, which included the relocation of some Army units from Germany to the UK, and sends an important signal about the Government's intention to sustain the capabilities of the armed forces. In addition, the UK has taken a leading role in NATO adaptation and in arguing for the development of European defence capabilities. The additional provision demonstrates that we continue to take those responsibilities seriously.
Service Accommodation
36. Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's plans relating to spending on accommodation for service personnel. [138609]
Dr. Moonie: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Dover (Mr. Prosser) and for Salford (Ms Blears), Official Report, columns 632-33.
NATO Ballistic Missile Defence
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's contribution is to the NATO ballistic missile defence programme. [138610]
Mr. Hoon: NATO does not have a ballistic missile defence programme. The Ministry of Defence has, however, contributed to NATO studies on the subject, including preparations for studies into the feasibility of
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theatre ballistic missile defence. We expect the theatre ballistic missile defence feasibility studies to start next year.
Executions (First World War)
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the most recent representations he has received in relation to soldiers executed in the first world war. [138605]
Mr. Spellar: A number of representations have been received recently from those seeking pardons for soldiers executed during the First World War. This subject and all the case files held in this country were carefully considered during the Review whose outcome was announced on 24 July 1998, Official Report, columns 1372-86. As a result of this, those who were executed are now recognised as victims of a terrible war, the stigma of execution has been lifted and, as public recognition of this, those responsible have been asked to add these men's names to War Memorials and Books of Remembrance throughout the country.
Bosnia
Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to visit Bosnia to inspect British troops. [138585]
Mr. Spellar: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be departing for a visit to the Balkans this afternoon, and will be in Sarajevo tomorrow afternoon.
Shoeburyness Ranges
Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the new ranges in Shoeburyness. [138599]
Dr. Moonie: The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) is continuing to work with SERCO Ltd. to rationalise the new ranges estate and to introduce new businesses which are able to co-exist with the continuing range activities. For example, the engineering workshop has been leased to a company which has successfully attracted new engineering work and the main office block will have a number of new tenants shortly including a catering training establishment. As mentioned in my answer on 20 March 2000, Official Report, columns 716-17, other possible businesses include an innovative agricultural process for producing fruit and vegetables which could lead to 1,000 new jobs. DERA and SERCO will continue to work closely with both Southend Borough and Rochford District Councils on preparing the 10 year development plan for the introduction of new commercial activities on to the site. Public consultation will be a key feature in taking forward any proposals.
C-17 Aircraft
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions have been placed on the operational use of the RAF's leased C-17 aircraft. [140014]
Mr. Hoon: The C-17 will fill the UK requirement for outsized strategic airlift pending the arrival in service of the A400M. Tactical airlift capability will be provided by the C-130 fleet. Detailed operating parameters for RAF C-17s remain under consideration.
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RAF Henlow
Mr. Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the work force at the Directorate of Engineering Interoperability at RAF Henlow are kept fully informed of the changes initiated by the Defence Logistics Organisation. [140076]
Mr. Spellar: Yes. The work force and their trade union representatives will be kept fully informed and will be consulted on any proposed changes.
Iraq
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what type of Iraqi vehicles were recovered by the armed forces from the Gulf War. [139846]
Mr. Spellar: According to records held by my Department as of 11 April 1991 the numbers of vehicles, including tracked, wheeled or towed equipment, recovered or captured and held by British armed forces in theatre were as follows:
| Vehicle | Number |
|---|---|
| Main Battle Tanks (MBT) | 136 |
| (T-55: 42; T-69: 80; T-62: 13; T-72: 1) | |
| 'A' Vehicles | 100 |
| 'B' Vehicles | 72 |
| Missiles(11) | 9 |
| Artillery and Anti Aircraft Systems(12) | 294 |
| Total vehicles, artillery and Anti-aircraft equipment held | 611 |
(11) Missiles mounted on carrying vehicles.
(12) Primarily tracked vehicles, operating under own power, or wheeled equipments requiring towing.
Our records indicate that a number of these vehicles, those that were intact, were earmarked for return to the UK:
| Vehicle | Number |
|---|---|
| Main Battle Tanks | 26 |
| Other Armoured Vehicles (A Vehicles) | 38 |
| Soft Skinned Vehicles (B Vehicles) | 33 |
| Vehicle Mounted Artillery Systems | 8 |
| Field Artillery | 37 |
| Anti Aircraft Gun Systems | 80 |
Armed Forces (Equal Opportunities)
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the implications for the UK armed forces of the recent report of the Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities Committee of the European Parliament. [140129]
Mr. Spellar: The European Parliament has no role in the operation of the armed forces of member states. We do not envisage any impact on UK military operations.
DA Notices
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many DA notices have been issued since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [138747]
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Mr. Spellar: Defence Advisory Notices are not issued in response to particular events. There are standing DA Notices to which editors and others refer as necessary. In 1997 there were six such standing notices. In May 2000 these were reduced by the independent Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee to five, and the system was made less restrictive and the guidance more specific, to allow greater debate on national issues. Full details are in the House of Commons Library, and on www.dnotice.org.uk.
Gurkhas
Ms Rosie Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to visit the training facilities of the Gurkhas in Nepal. [138595]
Mr. Hoon: On current plans, I am intending to visit Nepal just before the end of the year. My programme will include a visit to Gurkha recruiting and welfare facilities.
Fibre Buoys
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capabilities RTOF buoys have for enabling covert two-way data exchange between a submerged submarine and surface ships, aircraft, and shore stations; if the buoys will be used under the network-centric concept of operations; and if he will make a statement. [138980]
Dr. Moonie: The Ministry of Defence is conducting research into improving the two-way data exchange between a submerged submarine and other units. The Recoverable Towed Optic Fibre (RTOF) buoy which is being investigated under this research could provide part of the solution. The capabilities which a RTOF buoy could give would be determined by the overall system's characteristics.
Arborfield Garrison
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for further property sales at the Arborfield Garrison; and if he will make a statement on the future of the garrison. [140162]
Mr. Spellar: The Arborfield Garrison, along with all other defence training establishments, is being looked at as part of the Defence Training Review (DTR), a wide-ranging and fundamental review of the way in which training is conducted across the Ministry of Defence. This review is still in progress and it is not possible to draw conclusions at this time.
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