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Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 20 November 2002
DEFENCE
Firefighters' Dispute
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the cost of replacing Ministry of Defence Green Goddesses with an equivalent number of modern fire appliances. [81723]
Mr. Raynsford: I have been asked to reply.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister owns and maintains the Green Goddess fleet. Although the Office has considered the possibility of replacing Green Goddesses, there has been no specific assessment of the cost of replacing the Green Goddesses with an equivalent number of modern fire appliances.
Barracks
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many persons constitute the capacity of Catterick barracks; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments form the permanent staffing component of this sum; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments are regularly accommodated on a temporary basis; how many (a) suicides and (b) other deaths have occurred in each year since 1990; how many of these incidents were firearms-related; which of these incidents (i) were subject to investigation by the Royal Military Police, (ii) were the subject of an external investigation, (iii) were the subject of a coroner's inquest and (iv) gave rise to courts martial or criminal proceedings; and what the outcome was in each case; [80690]
- (2) how many persons constitute the capacity of Bindon barracks, Hameln; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments form the permanent staffing component of this sum; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments are regularly accommodated on a temporary basis; how many (a) suicides and (b) other deaths have occurred in each year since 1990; how many of these incidents were firearms-related; which of these incidents (i) were subject to investigation by the Royal Military Police, (ii) were the subject of an external investigation, (iii) were the subject of a Coroner's inquest and (iv) gave rise to courts martial or criminal proceedings; and what the outcome was in each case; [80669]
(3) how many persons constitute the capacity of the Army barrack at Deepcut, Surrey; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments form the permanent staffing component of this sum; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments are regularly accommodated on a temporary basis; how many (a) suicides and (b) other deaths have occurred in each year since 1990; how many of these incidents were firearms-related; which of these incidents (i) were
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- subject to investigation by the Royal Military Police, (ii) were the subject of an external investigation, (iii) were the subject of a Coroner's inquest and (iv) gave rise to courts martial or criminal proceedings; and what the outcome was in each case; [80671]
(4) how many persons constitute the capacity of Cavalry barracks, Hounslow, Middlesex; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments form the permanent staffing component of this sum; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments are regularly accommodated on a temporary basis; how many (a) suicides and (b) other deaths have occurred in each year since 1990; how many of these incidents were firearms-related; which of these incidents (i) were subject to investigation by the Royal Military Police, (ii) were the subject of an external investigation, (iii) were the subject of a Coroner's inquest and (iv) gave rise to courts martial or criminal proceedings; and what the outcome was in each case. [80688]
(5) how many persons constitute the capacity of Army barracks in Bielefield, Germany; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments form the permanent staffing component of this sum; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments are regularly accommodated on a temporary basis; how many (a) suicides and (b) other deaths have occurred in each year since 1990; how many of these incidents were firearms-related; which of these incidents (i) were subject to investigation by the Royal Military Police, (ii) were the subject of an external investigation (iii) were the subject of a Coroner's inquest, and (iv) gave rise to courts martial or criminal proceedings; and what the outcome was in each case; [80670]
(6) how many persons constitute the capacity of Drumadd barracks, Northern Ireland; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments form the permanent staffing component of this sum; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments are regularly accommodated on a temporary basis; how many (a) suicides and (b) other deaths have occurred in each year since 1990; how many of these incidents were firearms-related; which of these incidents (i) were subject to investigation by the Royal Military Police, (ii) were the subject of an external investigation, (iii) were the subject of a Coroner's inquest and (iv) gave rise to courts martial or criminal proceedings; and what the outcome was in each case. [80687]
(7) how many persons constitute the capacity of Quebec barracks, Osnabruck; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments form the permanent staffing component of this sum; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments are regularly accommodated on a temporary basis; how many (a) suicides and (b) other deaths have occurred in each year since 1990; how many of these incidents were firearms-related; which of these incidents were subject to investigation by the Royal Military Police, (ii) were the subject of an external investigation, (iii) were the subject of a Coroner's inquest and (iv) gave rise to courts martial or criminal proceedings; and what the outcome was in each case; [80668]
(8) how many persons constitute the capacity of Browning barracks, Aldershot, Hampshire; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments form
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- the permanent staffing component of this sum; how many officers and other personnel from what regiments are regularly accommodated on a temporary basis; how many (a) suicides and (b) other deaths have occurred in each year since 1990; how many of these incidents were firearms-related; which of these incidents (i) were subject to investigation by the Royal Military Police, (ii) were the subject of an external investigation, (iii) were the subject of a Coroner's inquest and (iv) gave rise to courts martial or criminal proceedings; and what the outcome was in each case. [80689]
Dr. Moonie: The information requested is not held centrally or in the form requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Combat Helmet
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to introduce an improved combat helmet for the forces. [80702]
Dr. Moonie: Plans for the Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme include the provision of a helmet with improved ballistic protection. We are also looking at a replacement for the in-service helmet to equip those soldiers who will not have FIST.
Courts Martial
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of HM armed forces in each of the past five years were (a) charged and (b) found guilty at courts martial for each category of serious crimes of violence up to that of murder; and how many of those found guilty (i) are in prison and were (ii) dishonourably and (iii) honourably discharged from the services and (iv) have resumed their military careers. [80613]
Dr. Moonie: I will write to my hon Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.
Firefighting Training
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what basic training is given to (a) soldiers, (b) sailors and (c) airmen in firefighting in the normal course of their training. [82012]
Dr. Moonie: The degree of firefighting training given to Service personnel depends upon the role that they are expected to perform during normal military duties. All service personnel are given basic fire awareness training including use of fire extinguishers, raising the alarm, means of escape and general fire precautions. Inaddition, more comprehensive training is given to those personnel who work in an environment where there may be a requirement to deal with fire.
Navy personnel, as part of the Basic Sea Survival Course, are trained in the procedural teamwork of shipboard firefighting. On board ship, theoretical training is given on Naval Battle Control of Damage together with Intermediate Sea Survival techniques. Firefighting teams on board ships receive two weeks of specific training in firefighting techniques while Navy aircraft handlers also receive ongoing training in core
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firefighting skills and, depending on their rank, training in firefighting leadership, command and control and technical expertise.
Specialist RAF firefighters in Trade Group eight receive comprehensive training in domestic (structural) firefighting, including breathing apparatus search and rescue procedures. Additionally, all RAF firefighters receive specialised training in aircraft crash fire fighting and rescue techniques and procedures, including the use of cutting equipment. Progressive career training develops increasing levels of leadership and command and control skills and enhanced technical knowledge appropriate to each rank.
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