| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
3 Feb 2003 : Column 48W—continued
Transport Interchanges (Toilet Provision)
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received
3 Feb 2003 : Column 49W
regarding the (a) availability and (b) quality of toilet provision at transport interchanges; and if he will make a statement on the standard of such facilities. [94771]
Mr. Jamieson: My Department does not hold information on the availability or quality of toilet provision at transport interchanges. However, we are working with Delivery Agencies to improve travel interchange, including improved facilities.
Unused Rolling Stock
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many newly commissioned (a) engines and (b) carriages lie unused in sidings within the south-eastern rail network, with particular reference to Kent and Sussex. [93827]
Mr. Jamieson: There are no trains that have been accepted for passenger service stabled in sidings unused. However there may be units that either have not yet been accepted into passenger service, or are in use for driver training, or are available for to cover for trains that are temporarily out of service maintenance or modifications.
DEFENCE
Afghanistan
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on (a) the levels of deployment to and (b) pattern of activities in Afghanistan of Royal Marines since 2001. [94539]
Mr. Ingram: 40 Commando provided a company to help secure the airfield at Bagram from November 2001 to October 2002. While not a part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), they provided an initial presence in Kabul to assist ISAF deployment and provide security for the inauguration of the Interim Authority.
In March 2002, Task Force JACANA deployed. Built around HQ 3 Cdo Brigade and 45 Commando, supported by the Commando Logistics Regiment, it conducted operations to interdict AQ/Taliban and destroy the terrorist infrastructure. On the successful completion of its deployment, it withdrew, with all troops back in the United Kingdom by August 2002.
Anthrax Vaccine
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the discovery of phials of anthrax vaccine on beaches in Hampshire and Dorset on 20 January. [93910]
Dr. Moonie: The Anthrax vaccine found on the South Dorset coast is from a batch produced by the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research and purchased by the Ministry of Defence in February 2001. Because ampoules from the batch were issued to a large number of units it has not yet been possible to identify how they came to be in the sea. Investigations into the source of the items found are continuing.
3 Feb 2003 : Column 50W
Anti-submarine Warfare Helicopters
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Fleet Air Arm anti-submarine warfare helicopters have been taken out of storage for use as troop carriers. [94542]
Mr. Ingram: Four Sea King Mk 6 Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft, originally due for disposal, are undergoing conversion to support helicopters in order to maintain the Support Helicopter Operating Fleet at required levels during the Sea King Mk 4 Avionics Upgrade Programme (AUP).
Armed Forces (Inoculations)
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which (a) Army (b) Royal Navy and (c) RAF units have been (i) warned to deploy and (ii) deployed for possible operations against Iraq have been given inoculations against biological weapons. [93645]
Dr. Moonie: All units warned to deploy and deployed for possible operations against Iraq are included in the voluntary immunisation programme against anthrax. We are expanding the programme, in phases and beginning with units held at the highest readiness, with the aim of making immunisation against anthrax routine for all service personnel. I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 13 June 2002, Official Report, columns 1345–46W, to my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Mr. Levitt).
We have announced plans to vaccinate a cohort of specialist medical personnel and nuclear, biological and chemical specialists against smallpox. I refer the hon. Member to the written statement I made on 2 December 2002, Official Report, column 60WS. Some of these specialist personnel will be attached to units warned to deploy and deployed for possible operations against Iraq.
Armed Forces (Transport)
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many personnel were transported around the United Kingdom by each of the armed forces by (a) road, (b) rail and (c) air, broken down by (i) number and (ii) distance travelled in the last year for which figures are available; [93241]
- (2) how much equipment was transported around the United Kingdom by each of the armed forces by (a) road, (b) rail and (c) air, broken down by (i) type of equipment, (ii) weight, (iii) number of items, (iv) volume and (v) distance travelled, in the last year for which figures are available. [93240]
Mr. Ingram: The detailed breakdown of personnel and equipment transportation requested is not required for use by the Ministry of Defence. Accordingly, the information is either not held at all or is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
3 Feb 2003 : Column 51W
Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if she will list the hon. Members who have completed the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. [95084]
Dr. Moonie: As at 27 January 2003, 78 hon. Members have completed and passed the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, in the following list, along with the Service with whom they have served. In addition, 20 former Members, 10 Peers and four MEPs have also successfully completed the Scheme.
3 Feb 2003 : Column 52W
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if she will list the hon. Members who have completed the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme and who have reserve liabilities for Operation Fresco. [95091]
Dr. Moonie: None. The Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme does not have reserve service commitment. Only regular armed forces personnel have been deployed on Operation Fresco.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |