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RAF Bases

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the station operating budget was for each RAF base in the UK in the last year for which figures are available. [32445]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 1 February 2002]: The table shows the RAF operating budgets for each of the UK RAF stations for financial year 2001–02. It does not include former RAF stations that have retained their name but which have been transferred to the ownership of another part of the Ministry of Defence.

£ million

Station name	Operating costs
RAF Bentley Priory	5.9
RAF Boscombe Down (Support Unit)	5.6
RAF Boulmer	22.2
RAF Brampton/Wyton	24.6
RAF Brize Norton	144.7
RAF Buchan	19.9
RAF Coltishall	66.2
RAF Coningsby	56.6
RAF Cosford	62.3
RAF Cottesmore	55.4
RAFC Cranwell	97.3
RAF Donna Nook	0.30
RAF Fylingdales	15.7
RAF Halton	31.0
RAF Henlow	12.3
RAF Holbeach	0.66
RAF High Wycombe	15.8
RAF Honington	71.8
RAF Innsworth	14.0
RAF Kinloss	112.4
RAF Leeming	64.1
RAF Leuchars	60.5
RAF Linton-on-Ouse	29.0
RAF Lossiemouth	96.5
RAF Lyneham	126.3
FSCTE Manston	4.5
RAF Marham	95.6
RAF Neatishead	14.1
RAF Northolt	20.4
RAF Pembrey Sands	0.25
RAF Shawbury	21.7
RAF Spadeadam	7.0
RAF Stafford	31.4
RAF St. Mawgan	45.7
RAF Tain	0.93
RAF Uxbridge	11.1
RAF Valley	30.7
RAF Waddington	77.2
RAF Wainfleet	0.52
RAF Wittering	48.4
RNAS Yeovilton	16.6

The figures given in the table include the budget for any minor unit for which the station is responsible.

Long Service Pay

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reduce the over 35 years of age restriction on accessibility to the long service advance of pay for Army and RAF personnel to over the age of 23. [33764]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 5 February 2002]: There are no plans at present to reduce the qualifying age for Army and RAF personnel, but the implications of doing so are being reviewed.

7 Feb 2002 : Column 1081W

Tornado F3

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) where the Tornado F3s from RAF Coningsby will be based when 5 Squadron is declared down in January 2003; with which squadron they will be available for operational duty; and if he will make a statement; [33642]

(2) how many Tornado F3s will be based at (a) RAF Leeming, (b) RAF Leuchars, (c) RAF Coningsby and (d) other sites in February 2003; and if he will make a statement. [33641]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 6 February 2002]: Aircraft from 5 Squadron will be re-distributed across the balance of the Tornado F3 fleet. The specific details of where all these aircraft will be relocated have yet to be finalised. All aircraft will remain available for operational duty.

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado F3s are based at (a) RAF Leeming, (b) RAF Leuchars, (c) RAF Coningsby and (d) other sites; and if he will make a statement. [33643]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 6 February 2002]: The number of Tornado F3 aircraft allocated to the stations in question is currently: RAF Coningsby 37, RAF Leeming 28 and RAF Leuchars 28. Operational aircraft are not based at any other stations.

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado F3s are on loan to Italy; when they will be returned; where they will be based and with which squadron when returned; and if he will make a statement. [33644]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 6 February 2002]: There are 24 Tornado F3 aircraft on loan to Italy all of which will be returned by December 2004. Their future on return is yet to be decided.

HMS Gannet

Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the current establishment of civil search and rescue capability will be maintained at HMS Gannet, Prestwick after MOD withdrawal from the site. [33936]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 6 February 2002]: The Ministry of Defence are not withdrawing from HMS Gannet at Prestwick. HMS Gannet will remain a base for Royal Navy Search and Rescue helicopters, which will respond to civil incidents when tasked by the Air Rescue Co-ordination Centre.

Afghanistan

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions British special forces have received from his Department on the transfer of prisoners to US forces. [33608]

Mr. Hoon [holding answer 5 February 2002]: I am withholding this information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Operational instructions are confidential, and are consistent with the United Kingdom's obligations under international law.

7 Feb 2002 : Column 1082W

Aircraft

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 18 January 2002, Official Report, column 502W, whether C-17s have since then been used to transport cargo into Afghanistan; and whether another Antonov has been chartered since then. [34353]

Mr. Ingram: The C-17 aircraft has been used since 18 January to transport cargo into Afghanistan and, under current plans, will continue to do so for the duration of the operation. Given the time scale and size of the task, we have continued to charter Antonovs since 18 January to supplement the RAF's airlift effort to deploy the UK's contribution to the International Security Assistance Force.

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence he has of a threat to the C-130K in Afghanistan from small arms fire. [33099]

Mr. Ingram: While we have no recorded incidents of small arms fire being directed at C-130Ks flying into Afghanistan, such an incident cannot be ruled out. Force protection measures appropriate to this threat have therefore been put in place.

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will fit lighting to the flight deck of the C-130Ks operational in Afghanistan which is compatible with night vision goggles; and what the cost is of fitting NVG compatible lighting to the C-130K. [33095]

Dr. Moonie: Details on the ability of the C-130K fleet to operate in low light could provide a potential adversary with information that could undermine our defence capabilities. This information is therefore withheld in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

The cost of fitting night vision goggle compatible lighting to the C-130K is of the order of £80,000 per aircraft (VAT exclusive).

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had about fitting flight deck armour to the C-130Ks operational in Afghanistan. [33093]

Mr. Ingram: The level of protection employed on the Hercules fleet could provide a potential adversary with information that could undermine our defence capabilities. I am therefore withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to (a) lease further C-17s and (b) charter further Antonovs. [33090]

Mr. Ingram: We have no current plans to lease further C-17s. We will continue to charter Antonov 124 aircraft as our strategic transport requirements dictate.

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of fitting flight deck armour to the C-130K is. [33094]

Dr. Moonie: The cost is in the order of £150,000 per aircraft.

7 Feb 2002 : Column 1083W

Jaguar Engine Upgrade

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the customer specifications requested for the upgrade of the Jaguar engine Adour 104; and if he will make a statement. [34019]

Mr. Ingram: The Jaguar Adour Mk 106 weapon system specification includes an extensive and detailed engine technical specification. Much of the content is provided by industry under a confidentiality agreement which prevents the Ministry of Defence releasing the information to any third party. The information requested is withheld in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information which relates to third party commercial confidences.

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will indicate in percentage terms the operational performance and operability of the (a) upgraded Jaguar engines Adour 104 and (b) the pre-upgraded Jaguar engines; and if he will make a statement. [34020]

Mr. Ingram: In percentage terms, taking the current Adour Mk 104 engine performance as 100 per cent., the upgraded Adour Mk 106 engine provides an increase in thrust generating a performance level of 105 per cent. This increase enables the Jaguar aircraft to operate more effectively in hot climates and improves engine reliability.

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the upgrade of the Adour 104 engine will be sufficient for the current and projected weapons payload; if a further upgrade of the Jaguar engine will be required before the end of the projected in-service lifespan; and if he will make a statement. [34021]

Mr. Ingram: The Adour Mk 106 engine, which is the upgraded version of the Mk 104, will allow the Jaguar aircraft to meet its current and projected role for the remainder of its in-service life. No further engine upgrades are planned.

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