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DEFENCE
Joint Force Harrier
Dr. Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his future plans are for Joint Force Harrier; and if he will make a statement. [40173]
Mr. Ingram: I have agreed an investment plan to take forward Joint Force Harrier (JFH) into the era of Future Joint Combat Aircraft (FJCA) and Future Carriers.
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The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) included a commitment to establish JFH, building on the success of Royal Navy and RAF Harrier aircraft operations in joint carrier air groups. This was a radical initiative to form a truly joint, flexible and deployable force optimised for the demands of the new strategic environment. JFH currently operates two aircraft types––Sea Harrier FA2, an air defence aircraft flown by RN personnel, and Harrier GR7, a ground attack/reconnaissance aircraft flown by RAF personnel. The plan has been for both the Sea Harrier FA2 and Harrier GR7 to be replaced by a common aircraft type. This is currently designated the FJCA with an In Service Date of 2012.
Work has been taking place on a migration plan to take forward JFH into the era of the FJCA and the future aircraft carrier. We have concluded that Joint Force Harrier should migrate to an all Harrier GR force, maximising investment in one aircraft type. It is planned to upgrade the GR7 to GR9 standard to ensure a credible expeditionary offensive capability until the aircraft leaves service. To achieve this, aircraft systems will be enhanced to extend their lives and give the Harrier the capability to operate with smart weapons.
Given the Harrier GR9's ability in future to employ smart weapons world-wide by day and night from land and sea and the increased emphasis on carrier based offensive air-power in the SDR and confirmed by the emerging conclusions of our post-11 September work, the Sea Harrier FA2 will be withdrawn earlier than planned, by 2006. The Sea Harrier entered service in 1979, and will start to become obsolescent as this decade progresses.
As a consequence of its earlier withdrawal from service, the planned relocation of Sea Harrier FA2 aircraft from RNAS Yeovilton to RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering in 2003 will not now proceed. The relocation of RN personnel will go ahead but slightly later than currently planned, over the period 2004 to 2006. By 1 April 2007, JFH will have migrated to an all Harrier GR9 force by roughly equal numbers of RN and RAF personnel. These proposals will be subject to consultation with the Trade Unions in the normal way.
This plan will significantly enhance the offensive strike capability of our aircraft carriers pending introduction to service of the FJCA.
Nimrod MRA4
Dr. Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has changed his procurement plans for the Nimrod MRA4. [40174]
Dr. Moonie: The Nimrod MRA4 will replace the Nimrod MR2 as the RAF's new maritime patrol aircraft Recent work on future maritime reconnaissance capabilities has shown that the operational tasks of the Nimrod MRA4 aircraft can be carried out with a smaller fleet than originally envisaged. This will allow us to reduce the number of aircraft on order from 21 to 18. This revised approach will allow the RAF to meet all the tasks for which the aircraft is being procured while delivering better value for money.
This judgment reflects a number of factors. The submarine threat, while still prevalent worldwide, has not developed as expected when the production contract
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was signed in 1996. Moreover, the Nimrod MRA4 will also offer a markedly greater capability compared to the MR2 it succeeds, through improved aircraft and sensor performance. Finally, discussions with BAE Systems, the prime contractor, have identified potential in-service support options to maximise aircraft availability for operational tasking.
The Defence Procurement Agency is working with BAE Systems on an incremental approach to delivery for Nimrod MRA4. This includes the acceptance of aircraft in two steps. An initial capability will be provided by the time of first contracted aircraft delivery in August 2004 with the full specification being met by the time of the seventh aircraft delivery and entry into service which is contracted for March 2005. The reduced order will affect only the last three aircraft of the previously planned production run.
In accordance with the partnership principle of Smart Acquisition, agreement has been reached with BAE. Systems to maximise the financial benefits to the Ministry of Defence of this reduced order while incentivising the company appropriately. The reduction in procurement costs will be agreed in detail with the company. On the basis of current assumptions, the smaller fleet is expected to reduce support costs alone by some ÿ360 million.
AWE
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British universities have research contracts with AWE; and if he will list them. [32714]
Dr. Moonie: AWE plc currently have research contracts with a total of 24 British universities. Confidentiality clauses in these contracts make it necessary for AWE to seek confirmation from each university that they are willing to have their names released. 21 of the universities have so consented and are listed below:
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- Cardiff University
- University of Dundee
- University of Glasgow
- Herriot-Watt University
- Royal Holloway University of London
- Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
- University of Kent at Canterbury
- University of Liverpool
- University College of London
- Loughborough University Consultants Ltd
- Manchester Metropolitan University
- University of Nottingham
- University of Reading
- University of Southampton
- University of Surrey
- University of Warwick
- University of Bangor Wales
- University of York
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Publications
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in respect of the publications issued by the Central Corporate Communications Division in each of the last four years, what was (a) the circulation, (b) the cost and (c) the purpose of each. [34434]
Dr. Lewis Moonie: The information requested for the main publications produced by our central corporate communication division, and its predecessors, where known, is shown in the following tables.
| Publication | Cost (ÿ)1 | Circulation (numbers)2 | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Defence Review | 71,8801 | 10,000 | Published outcome of the Strategic Defence Review |
| Defence Booklets | 55,988 | 122,000 | Information booklets on a variety of defence subjects |
| Annual Report of Defence Activity 1997–98 | 19,051 | 75,000 | Reports defence activity |
| XSanctuary" | 24,194 | 24,000 | Annual publication describing MoD conservation activity |
| Defence Factsheets | 11,991 | 120,000 (total) | A series of folded A4-leaflets giving general information on a specific defence issue |
| Ministry of Defence Performance Report 1997–98 | 4,2273 | 510 | Reports on MoD performance in the previous year |
| XFocus" | 167,7914 | 55,000 (per month) | Monthly in-house newspaper, for MoD staff |
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| Publication | Cost (ÿ)1 | Circulation (numbers)2 | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defence Factsheets | 32,832 | 390,500 (total) | A series of folded A4-leaflets giving general information on a specific defence issue |
| Factsheets (in Welsh language) | 10,480 | 32,000 | As above, in Welsh language |
| Defence Booklets | 38,983 | 35,900 | Information booklets on a variety of defence subjects |
| Kosovo Lessons from the Crisis | 2,5003 | 5,000 | Command paper on Kosovo campaign |
| Ministry of Defence Performance Report 1999–2000 | 6,803.403 | 800 | Reports on MoD performance in the previous year |
| XFocus" | 161,9504 | 55,000 (per month) | Monthly in-house newspaper, for MoD staff |
| XSanctuary" | 19,092 | 24,000 | Annual publication describing MoD conservation activity |
| Publication | Cost (ÿ)1 | Circulation (numbers)2 | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| XDefence Matters" | 15,626 | 8,000 | Colour brochure explaining range of defence activities |
| Defence booklets | 21,723 | 10,500 | |
| (total) | Information booklets on a variety of defence subjects | ||
| Defence Factsheets | 32,170 | 153,700 | |
| (total) | A series of folded A4-leaflets giving general information on a specific defence issue | ||
| XBlue Book" | 5,588 | 2,100 | Describes organisation and management of defence in the UK |
| XSanctuary" | 26,200 | 24,000 | Annual publication describing MoD conservation activity |
| XFocus" | 105,2694 | 55,000 | |
| (per month) | Monthly in-house newspaper, for MoD staff | ||
| Ministry of Defence Performance Report 2000–01 | 12,6103 | 650 | Report to Parliament of MoD performance in the previous year |
| SDR New Chapter Public Discussion paper, & leaflet | 21,800 (estimated) | 10.500 Discussion papers | |
| 139,000 leaflets | |||
| Discussion paper on the New Chapter on terrorism. |
Notes:
1 Cost figures consist of printing and, where appropriate, an element of design costs and/or distribution.
2 Exact circulation numbers are difficult to obtain without incurring disproportionate costs. Figures shown (other than for XCommand" publications) are numbers printed.
3 Costs shown for XCommand" publications are only for the copies required by the MoD, and represent a discount on the normal Stationery Office price.
4 Costs shown for XFocus" do not include the substantial income generated from advertising revenue.
5 Figures for the 2001–02 Financial Year show spend as at 15 February 2002.
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