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Territorial Army
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role has been played by the Territorial Army in Exercise Swift Sword. [R] [9675]
Dr. Moonie: The Territorial Army have made a very positive contribution to exercise Saif Sareea (Swift Sword) II in a variety of roles. Around 400 Territorial Army personnel have been deployed primarily to augment regular units in a wide range of specialist functions including intelligence, medical support and military policing.
Porton Down
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which states (a) biological and (b) chemical material have been supplied from Porton Down since 1990. [8770]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 23 October 2001]: The Defence and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down has supplied biological, or biologically derived samples to the following countries: USA, France, Belgium, Sweden, Australia, Germany, Austria, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Japan and Canada. Chemical materials that fall within the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention have been supplied to Sweden and Canada.
Challenger
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the production lead time is for producing additional air filters for the Challenger II main battle tank; [8740]
- (2) what production facilities exist to produce air filters for the Challenger II main battle tank. [8741]
Dr. Moonie: The Challenger II air filter is produced by PALL Aerospace at their facility in Redruth, Cornwall. The company have a production lead time of eight weeks, but they have been able to provide filters within a three week period when necessary.
25 Oct 2001 : Column: 321W
Tracer Programme
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Tracer programme. [10157]
Dr. Moonie: The UK and the US have taken a joint decision to bring the Tracer programme to a close in July 2002 when the current assessment phase comes to an end. In keeping with the principles of Smart Acquisition, this illustrates our willingness to take the right decision early in a programme in response to changing priorities. The Tracer programme has successfully developed a pool of key technologies that can now be utilised in future programmes such as the Future Rapid Effects System which will play a key role in meeting the Land Commander's Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance needs.
STTA Map
John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay the drawing of the STTA map, LFA14T; and when the borders were last redrawn. [9982]
Dr. Moonie: The Tactical Training Areas, within which Operational Low Flying is conducted, were selected on the basis of low population density and remoteness from major conurbations. The boundary of Low Flying Area 14(T) has remained unchanged since it was established, with the creation of the current UK Low Flying System, in 1979.
Chemical Warfare Training
Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent training the armed forces have received for dealing with chemical warfare; how up to date that training is; and what has been done to ensure that training has been updated to take account of recent terrorist attacks and the present international situation. [9270]
Mr. Ingram: Training for nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) defence is a wide ranging and comprehensive activity for all armed forces personnel, beginning with basic recruit courses and continuing throughout their careers. Training is carried out both individually and collectively in units and formations. NBC defence is integrated into a wide range of military training, including major and minor exercises. The Defence NBC Centre at Winterbourne Gunner is world-renowned. A major task of this tri-service unit is to provide the best possible training in NBC defence for officers and NCOs, whether they are employed in staff appointments, as instructors, or at unit level. The content of training courses remains under regular review to ensure that it is relevant, up to date and effective, and mechanisms are in place to ensure that NBC Defence training is validated by all three services.
Road Traffic Accidents
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Road Traffic Accidents involving service personnel have taken place in the last 12 months on (a) MOD property and (b) public roads in which driver's fatigue has been identified as a significant factor; and if he will make a statement. [10217]
25 Oct 2001 : Column: 322W
Mr. Ingram: Information on Road Traffic Accidents is updated centrally for the period 1 April to 31 March each year. The number of Road Traffic Accidents for the year 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 where driver fatigue was identified as a contributory factor, rather than a significant factor, is 115, broken down as follows:
| Places | Number |
|---|---|
| On Ministry of Defence property | 47 |
| On public roads | 68 |
Further information on road safety matters is contained within the Defence Annual Road Safety Report and a copy of the report for 1999–2000 will be placed in the House shortly. This report also contains details of various measures being put in place to reduce the risk of accidents (including fatigue). The report for 2000–01 is due to be published towards the end of this year, and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House when it becomes available.
Apache Helicopter Programme
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 4W, when the first operational Apache Squadron will be available; and when a full task force capability based on an attack helicopter regiment will be operational. [10227]
Mr. Ingram: The first regiment to be equipped with Apache will be 9 Regiment Army Air Corps, based at Dishforth. Elements from that regiment will provide an Initial Operational Capability in 2004. A full Operational Capability, based on three regiments, is expected to be available by the end of 2007.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Parliamentary Questions
Margaret Moran: To ask the President of the Council what plans he has to make proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons on submitting parliamentary questions by electronic means. [9611]
Mr. Robin Cook: Responsibility for this rests with the Procedure Committee. However, I understand the Committee is currently inquiring into parliamentary questions and I am sure that Members will have an opportunity to make the Committee aware of their views.
Webcasting
Margaret Moran: To ask the President of the Council what plans he has to make proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons on webcasting the business of the House. [9612]
Mr. Robin Cook: Responsibility for this rests with the Broadcasting Committee. However, I understand that, following a recommendation from the Committee, a pilot project to explore the potential of webcasting will begin in January, and proceedings from each House will be webcast from that date.
25 Oct 2001 : Column: 323W
New Technology
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the President of the Council what the cause was of the delay in the supply of new technology for hon. Members; and if he will make a statement. [10220]
Mr. Robin Cook: During the debate on Members' Allowances, Insurance &c. on 5 July 2001, Official Report, columns 421–77, I said to the House that distributing new computer equipment to Members' offices in Westminster and the constituencies has proved to be a massive logistical exercise. Hon. Members will therefore not be surprised to learn that early delays were due to the complexity of the operation. Our suppliers have had to process orders with different combinations of product and then to dispatch and install the equipment, often on two or three sites.
The new Advisory Panel on the Members' Vote which advises Mr. Speaker and myself has been monitoring progress. I am told that of the 468 Members who have now placed orders, 162 have been fulfilled and 55 have been met in part. Members who ordered before the end of the recess can expect to be offered delivery and installation before the end of November. By the end of the financial year over 6,000 items will have been delivered and installed to over 1,300 locations.
EDUCATION AND SKILLS
School Exclusions
11. Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to reintroduce targets for the reduction of exclusions from schools. [6697]
25. Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to reintroduce targets for the reduction of exclusions from schools. [6713]
Mr. Timms: We have no plans to set fresh targets to reduce permanent exclusions further. We have met our target to reduce permanent exclusions by a third a year early and consider the current level of exclusions to be sustainable. Our priority now is to ensure that teachers are supported in maintaining classroom discipline, and that where pupils are permanently excluded, they receive a full-time education.
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