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5 Nov 2002 : Column 179W—continued
DEFENCE
Afghanistan
Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strategy is of coalition forces in Afghanistan; if they will take part in the provision of security beyond Kabul to achieve the ISAF effect; and what involvement in humanitarian activities they will have. [79686]
Mr. Hoon: Our objectives for the campaign against international terrorism, and for our forces in Afghanistan, were set out in the paper entitled XDefeating International Terrorism: Campaign Objectives", a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House of Commons on 16 October 2001. We continue to work towards achieving all these aims. As part of this, we are considering with our coalition partners who we might aid the Islamic Transitional Authority of Afghanistan to stabilize further Afghanistan's regions. No decisions on what that might involve have been taken.
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Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will define the International Security Assistance Force effect outside of Kabul; and if he will make a statement on how it will be created. [798685]
Mr. Hoon: The International Security Assistance Force has helped the Afghan authorities to restore and maintain stability within Kabul. We are considering with our coalition partners how we might help the Islamic Transitional Authority of Afghanistan to stabilize further other areas of Afghanistan, but no decisions have yet been taken.
Fire Service Cover
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many green goddess fire engines will be deployed in the Portsmouth South constituency if the fire brigades union takes action; how many servicemen will man each appliance; from what duties they are to be withdrawn from to provide fire service cover; and if he will make a statement. [78968]
Mr. Ingram: Three green goddess fire engines will be based in Portsmouth. The command structure is designed to ensure flexibility when deploying emergency fire cover, and where necessary resources may be deployed from adjacent areas.
Each green goddess has a crew of six per shift, with two shifts, each of 12 hours, providing 24-hour cover. The personnel involved may be withdrawn from a variety of other duties, depending on changing circumstances.
Gunwharf Site
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the Ministry of Defence, in setting a figure for the disposal of the Gunwharf and HMS Vernon site in Portsmouth to Barclays Homes, took into account the Portsmouth City Council plan for the development of the site; and if he will make a statement; [78516]
- (2) what assessment has been made of the potential value of the redeveloped Gunwharf and HMS Vernon site in Portsmouth against the disposal value; and if he will make a statement; [78514]
(3) whether the Ministry of Defence has reserved the right to claw back money on the Gunwharf and HMS Vernon site in Portsmouth if the development brief is altered to bring about a substantial increase in the value of the site; and if he will make a statement; [78515]
(4) who advised the Ministry of Defence on the potential value of the Gunwharf and HMS Vernon site in Portsmouth; and if he will make a statement. [78512]
Dr. Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
HMS Caroline
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much he has spent on HMS Caroline in each of the past five years. [78357]
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Mr. Ingram: The operating and running costs of HMS Caroline for the last five years are as follows:
| Financial year | Operating costs (e.g, pay, travel and subsistence) | Maintenance costs |
|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 (to date) | 0.684 | 0.062 |
| 2001–02 | 1.355 | 0.080 |
| 2000–01 | 1.230 | 0.004 |
| 1999–2000 | 1.116 | 0.034 |
| 1998–99 | 1.013 | 0.029 |
| Total | 5.398 | 0.209 |
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the dossier containing the history of HMS Caroline. [78358]
Mr. Ingram: I have placed a brief history of HMS Caroline in the Library of the House.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Department's use of HMS Caroline. [78359]
Mr. Ingram: HMS Caroline served as the Headquarters of the Ulster Division of the Royal Naval Reserve since 1924 and latterly has been designated as the Reserve Training Centre. She is expected to continue in her present role for the foreseeable future.
Inflatable Tanks
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many inflatable tanks have been (a) stolen and (b) lost in each year since 1991; what the replacement value is of each lost tank; and what steps he has taken to improve protection measures for inflatable tanks. [78653]
Dr. Moonie: There are no records of this type before 1997. Only one tank has been lost since then, on 28 October 2002 due to very high winds, which exceeded tolerances recommended by the manufacturers. These tolerances will be re-emphasised to personnel but protection measures are otherwise considered adequate.
The replacement cost of a single inflatable tank depends upon the model and its accessories and can vary from #8,000 to #14,000.
Iraq
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions (a) his Department and (b) the relevant military authorities at the British embassy in Washington DC had with the US Congressional Budget Office in preparation of the report of 30 September for the Chairman of the US Senate Committee on the Budget, with specific reference to the Report's estimate of UK force involvement. [78799]
Mr. Hoon: There have been no such discussions with the Congressional Budget Office.
Military Airspace
Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of UK airspace is reserved for use by exclusively military aircraft. [78724]
Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
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There is no part of UK airspace reserved for the exclusive use of military aircraft. There are some danger areas, primarily firing ranges, where entry is prohibited to all aircraft, civil and military. The airspace affected amounts to approximately 0.015 per cent. of UK airspace. There are other danger areas where access is permitted under certain conditions, amounting to a further 0.83 per cent. of UK airspace.
Missing Weaponry
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many issued (a) rifles, (b) handguns and (c) bullets were unaccounted for at each barracks in each month in Northern Ireland in the last year; what quantity of each was subsequently recovered outside the barracks from which they were taken; and what disciplinary and criminal actions were taken as a result. [78793]
Mr. Ingram: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Nuclear Installations
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to paragraph 27, page 11 of the Government Response to the Defence Select Committee report on Defence and Security in the UK, HC 1230, with which authorities outside his Department he has had discussions in respect of the major programme of activities to reduce the vulnerabilities and strengthen the arrangements for consequence management at nuclear installations. [78654]
Mr. Ingram: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is responsible for security at nuclear sites. Discussions have taken place with several other Government Departments, including the DTI, Home Office, Cabinet Office, Department for Transport, Office for Civil Nuclear Security, and the Health and Safety Executive, together with local authorities, the police and other emergency services, to review the protection of nuclear installations and arrangements for responding to an incident at any such site.
Operation Amber Fox
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's policy is on the EU taking over operation Amber Fox without signing a prior accord with NATO. [79551]
Mr. Ingram: The Government's policy remains, as was agreed by EU nations at the European Council at Seville, that the EU is willing to undertake an operation in Macedonia in succession to operation Amber Fox, at the request of the Macedonian Government, once the EU-NATO permanent arrangements are in place.
Renegade Aircraft
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is in respect of the interception of aircraft assumed to be hijacked entering UK airspace in the London area. [78598]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 4 November 2002]: The Ministry of Defence has an established and well-practised air defence capability. This mechanism is
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ready to detect, deter and as a last resort if necessary destroy any aircraft intending to attack any target within the United Kingdom.
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