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Research and Development
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spends on research and development in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland; and if he will break down the Scottish total into (i) DERA's own research and (ii) research funded in academic and non-DERA sites; and what the names of these non-DERA sites are. [147015]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 25 January 2001]: The information requested is not held centrally. However, for 1998-99, some £2,096 million defence expenditure was categorised for statistical purposes as "research and development". This would cover work undertaken in MOD (including DERA), industry and universities. I regret that it is not possible to state how much of the total figure represents expenditure in Scotland, as our data do not include a regional breakdown. Nor do available data provide the breakdown of research (or research and development) expenditure between DERA and non-DERA sites in Scotland.
Daedalus Site
Mr. Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Daedalus site at Lee-on-the-Solent. [147084]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 25 January 2001]: The Strategy for the defence estate launched in June last year set out our intention to identify the core sites on which we would seek to focus different activities in the longer term. A study is now in progress to this effect.
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Along with other major Defence sites not yet sold, the former HMS Daedalus is being considered within this study. While it is still at an early stage and not likely to report for some time, we are looking to form an early view of the implications for the Daedalus site, if any, to avoid further uncertainty or delay. We hope to do this by the end of March and will keep the local authorities concerned informed of the position.
Astute Class Submarines
Mr. Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he proposes to place an order for the first batch of the Astute class submarines; and if he will make a statement. [147571]
Dr. Moonie: The first batch of Astute class submarines was ordered from GEC-Marconi (now BAE Systems) in March 1997.
HMS Tireless
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of HMS Tireless during its voyage to the United Kingdom for the completion of repairs; and if he will make a statement. [147403]
Mr. Spellar: We plan to complete the repairs to Tireless in Gibraltar. However, stringent safety measures apply to all sailings of nuclear submarines. All crews are trained to meet those exacting standards.
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has given to the Spanish Government about the extent of damage to HMS Tireless; and what undertakings he has given the Spanish Government about (a) the programme and location of the repairs and (b) the date of departure from Gibraltar of HMS Tireless; and if he will make a statement. [147402]
Mr. Spellar: We have maintained a substantial flow of information to both the Spanish Government and the Spanish Council of Nuclear Safety (CSN) throughout the repair, and will continue to do so.
The Spanish Government have been advised of our plans for the repair to HMS Tireless, and that it is our intention to complete the repair in Gibraltar by the end of March and for the submarine to leave Gibraltar as soon as possible thereafter.
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay his decision to select 19 May 2001 as the deadline for the removal of HMS Tireless from Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [147401]
Mr. Spellar: Our intention is to complete the repair by the end of March and for the submarine to leave Gibraltar as soon as possible thereafter. Precise timing will depend on progress with the repair.
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice the United Kingdom Government have tendered to the Government of Gibraltar about the
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implications for the territory of sustained opposition to the presence of HMS Tireless at Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [147400]
Mr. Spellar: The United Kingdom Government have had continuing and extensive discussions with the Government of Gibraltar over HMS Tireless, but has not given specific advice on the issue raised by my hon. Friend.
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress of work on repairs to HMS Tireless, and the expected date and location of completion of the repairs. [147404]
Mr. Spellar: Preparatory work on HMS Tireless has been completed and the repair is under way. HMS Tireless is alongside in Gibraltar and it is our intention to complete the repairs in Gibraltar by the end of March.
Service Personnel (Deaths)
Mr. Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the dates and circumstances were of the deaths of each serviceman and woman for each of the last five years. [146774]
Dr. Moonie: Between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2000, there have been 770 deaths among serving members of the UK armed forces. A copy of a list of circumstances and year of death will be placed in the Library of the House.
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Sunken Military Vessels
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his consultation document on the protection of sunken military vessels. [147709]
Dr. Moonie: The aim of the formal consultation paper, being produced as part of a review of policy towards the protection of Military Maritime Graves, is to seek the views of those with an interest in this issue.
The views of other Government Departments have been sought. I hope to issue the public consultation paper shortly. The consultation paper will run for three months and a copy of the paper will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses at that stage.
Regimental Manpower Establishments
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the (a) manpower establishments and (b) actual manning levels of (i) the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, (ii) Black Watch, (iii) the Highlanders, (iv) the King's Own Scottish Borderers, (v) the Royal Highland Fusiliers, (vi) the Royal Scots, (vii) the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and (viii) the Scots Guards. [147761]
Mr. Spellar: The establishments and actual staffing levels as at 1 December 2000 for each of the Scottish Regiments listed are shown in the table. The figures exclude locally employed personnel and Royal Irish (Home Service).
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| Scots Dragoon Guards | One Scots Guards | One Royal Scots | One Royal Highland Fusiliers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | Actual staffing levels | Establishments | Actual staffing levels | Establishment | Actual staffing levels | Establishment | Actual staffing levels | |
| Royal Armoured Corps | 451 | 375 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Infantry | -- | -- | 558 | 593 | 558 | (12)458 | 558 | 492 |
| Royal Logistic Corps | 19 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 31 | 23 | 21 |
| Royal Army Medical Corps | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Queen Alexandra Royal Auxiliary Nursing Corps | -- | -- | 1 | -- | 1 | -- | 1 | -- |
| Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers | 91 | 66 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
| Adjutant General Corps (Staff and Personnel Support) | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 18 |
| Army Physical Training Corps | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total UK Trained Army Personnel | 590 | 487 | 620 | 649 | 620 | 527 | 620 | 548 |
| Gurkha | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Full time Reserve Service | -- | 3 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 |
| Total whole Army | 590 | 490 | 620 | 649 | 620 | 527 | 620 | 549 |
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29 Jan 2001 : Column: 65W
| One Kings Own Scottish Borderers | One Black Watch | One Highlanders | One Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | Actual staffing levels | Establishments | Actual staffing levels | Establishments | Actual staffing levels | Establishments | Actual staffing levels | |
| Royal Armoured Corps | -- | -- | -- | 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Infantry | 558 | (13)532 | 618 | (14)522 | 587 | (15)450 | 558 | 541 |
| Royal Logistic Corps | 23 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 22 |
| Royal Army Medical Corps | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Queen Alexandra Royal Auxiliary Nursing Corps | 1 | -- | 1 | -- | 1 | -- | 1 | -- |
| Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers | 11 | 11 | 71 | 56 | 29 | 25 | 11 | 10 |
| Adjutant General Corps (Staff and Personnel Support) | 22 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 |
| Army Physical Training Corps | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total UK Trained Army Personnel | 620 | 590 | 741 | 621 | 667 | 519 | 620 | 599 |
| Gurkha | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | (16)105 | -- | -- |
| Full time Reserve Service | -- | 36 | -- | 9 | -- | -- | -- | 4 |
| Total whole Army | 620 | 626 | 741 | 630 | 667 | 624 | 620 | 603 |
(12) Includes one soldier capbadged Royal Signals.
(13) Includes one soldier capbadged Royal Artillery.
(14) Includes one soldier capbadged Small Arms School Corps.
(15) Includes one UKTAP officer capbadged Royal Gurkha Rifles who is part of the Gurkha Reinforcement Company (GRC).
(16) Total number of GRC officers is four.
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