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12 Dec 2002 : Column 423W—continued
Nuclear Waste
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total volume was of nuclear waste produced and requiring storage by (a) his Department and (b) military installations in each year since 1990, broken down by (i) the level of waste and (ii) whether the waste is in temporary or permanent storage; and if he will make a statement. [86416]
Dr. Moonie: No central records are held on volumes of nuclear waste produced and requiring storage for each year since 1990. However, I refer the hon. Member to the XUnited Kingdom Radioactive Waste Inventory" to which the Ministry of Defence contributes, and which provides periodic snapshots on radioactive waste stocks, including levels of waste, location and whether the waste is held in temporary or permanent storage. The inventory has previously been published to show snapshots of waste stocks in 1991 and 1994, and a copy of the most recent inventory, for 1998, is available in the Library of the House. A new inventory, for 2001, is being completed and will be published shortly and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many decommissioned nuclear submarines have been awaiting waste treatment and storage for each year since 1990; where they are; what steps are being planned to tackle the task; and if he will make a statement. [86417]
Dr. Moonie: Since 1990, 10 nuclear-powered submarines have been decommissioned, and are stored safely afloat.
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| Submarine | Date decommissioned | Afloat storage location |
|---|---|---|
| Churchill | 1990 | Rosyth Dockyard |
| Warspite | 1990 | HMNB Devonport |
| Conqueror | 1991 | HMNB Devonport |
| Swiftsure | 1991 | Rosyth Dockyard |
| Courageous | 1992 | HMNB Devonport |
| Revenge | 1992 | Rosyth Dockyard |
| Resolution | 1994 | Rosyth Dockyard |
| Valient | 1994 | HMNB Devonport |
| Renown | 1996 | Rosyth Dockyard |
| Repulse | 1996 | Rosyth Dockyard |
As soon as possible after a nuclear-powered submarine leaves naval service, the reactor is de-fuelled and the vessel prepared for safe storage afloat. Daily inspections and annual maintenance periods are carried out to ensure the vessel is maintained to a high standard of preservation and safety.
We are currently considering options for land storage of radioactive waste from nuclear powered submarines (the ISOLUS Study) and we will shortly be seeking proposals from industry. These will inform a public consultation and, following detailed negotiations, a preferred bidder will be selected. This is expected to take around three years to complete. The aim is to have the land storage facility in service by 2012.
RAF West Freugh
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether depleted uranium shells or projectiles manufactured in other NATO countries have been tested at RAF West Freugh in Galloway; whether aircraft operated by other NATO countries have used the base for training or experimenting with depleted uranium munitions; and if he will make a statement on progress made with radioactive remediation at the West Freugh test range. [86485]
Dr. Moonie: Experimental firings of the Phalanx weapons system, which uses depleted uranium rounds (DU), took place at West Freugh in 1988 and 1990. The firings involved rounds that were manufactured in the United Kingdom from DU processed in the USA. No aircraft were involved in the tests, and there has been no further use of the West Freugh range for DU firings. A subsequent radiological survey of beach, sand and seawater by staff from the AtomicWeapons Establishment concluded that there was no detectable contamination.
Research Contracts
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department is spending on research contracts in each region; and if he will make a statement. [86404]
Dr. Moonie: The net expenditure outturn for the Ministry of Defence's major customers research budgets as published in the Consolidated Departmental Resource Accounts for financial year 2000–02, was #1 billion. It is not possible to provide a regional breakdown of research expenditure from available data.
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Reserve Forces
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the per capita per annum cost per rank of (a) regular personnel, (b) the RNR, (c) the RMR, (d) the TA and (e) the RAuxAP; and if he will make a statement. [86395]
Dr. Moonie: The capitation rates for regular personnel show the average annual cost. They include pay, allowances, earnings-related National Insurance contributions and superannuation as well as allowances for support, training and higher formation costs.
The rates for Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) personnel include pay, earnings— related National Insurance contributions and superannuation Information for the Territorial Army and Royal Auxiliary Air Force cost is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I am therefore unable to provide a substantive answer under the terms of exemption 9 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
However, capitation rates are produced for the Army Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) and the RAF FTRS, and these are listed as follows:
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Royal Navy Vessels
Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy vessels will be fitted with (a) the upgraded Type 1022 Radar and (b) the Type 996 Radar; and if he will make a statement on the increased capability this will provide. [86296]
Dr. Moonie: Radar Type 1022 is fitted to Type 42 Destroyers and Invincible Class Carriers. At present, there are no plans to upgrade the Radar but, as part of the normal planning process, consideration is being given to an upgrade that would deliver performance improvements in specific operating environments.
Radar Type 996 is in service with Type 42 Destroyers, Type 23 Frigates and Invincible Class Carriers, and is also being fitted to the new Landing Platform Dock (Replacement) vessels, the first of which is expected to come into service next year. Two programmes have been undertaken to improve the Radar's performance and availability. A further programme, to increase the Radar's capability against future airborne and surface threats, is currently in its assessment phase.
Sea Dart Missile
Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the infra red fuse to be fitted to the Sea Dart missile. [86297]
Dr. Moonie: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 4 December 2002, Official Report, column 815W.
Sea Harrier
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what impact the withdrawal of the Sea Harrier FA2 will have on the Royal Navy's ability to defend its ships against an attack from the AS17/Krypton anti-ship missile; and if he will make a statement. [86440]
Dr. Moonie: Royal Navy Task Groups will retain a significant air defence capability after the Sea Harrier is withdrawn from service in 2006, including against AS17/Krypton anti ship missiles. Task Groups typically include Type 42 Anti Air Warfare Destroyers armed with updated Sea Dart anti-aircraft missiles, Type 22 and 23 Frigates armed with Point Defence Missile Systems (including the enhanced Sea Wolf missile system) and Close in Weapons Systems. Many other Task Group warships will also include air defence assets for self protection and decoy systems against air and surface launched anti-ship missiles.
The upgraded Sea King airborne early warning aircraft has now entered service providing an improved detection capability over land and sea. Additionally, from late 2007 onwards the Type 42 Destroyers will be
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replaced by the Type 45 Destroyers, fitted with the highly capable Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS).
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