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3 Feb 2003 : Column 63W—continued
Royal Navy Ships
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason HMS Fearless was withdrawn from service prior to HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark entering service. [94553]
Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 3 to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin), and to
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the answer given on 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 714W to the hon. Member for North Wiltshire (Mr. Gray).
Pursuant to these answers, HMS Albion has commenced contractor sea trials and is expected to enter service with the Royal Navy by July 2003. Following operational training, she should be available for tasking in October 2003. The programme for HMS Bulwark is still under discussion with the contractor, but the current expectation is that she will enter service by the end of next year.
Royal Ordnance
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is supplied from ROF Chorley; and what the length is of each contract. [92034]
Mr. Ingram: Tube Vent Electric L4 are supplied to the Ministry of Defence from RO Chorley as part of a contract with RO Defence which has recently been extended to 31 March 2006. RO Chorley also supply initiating devices. In-service surveillance and proof activities work is undertaken at the proof yard facility at RO Chorley. This contract is due to expire at the end of March 2003 but negotiations are taking place with a view to extending this.
S-type Contracts
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers in the last 10 years have been employed on an S-type contract, broken down by (a) reason, (b) regiment, (c) those still serving on S-type contracts and (d) rank. [92703]
Dr. Moonie: The number of soldiers in the last 10 years employed on an S-type engagement, broken down by regiment/corps and rank, and indicating those still serving are shown in the table.
The reasons for soldiers being employed on an S-type engagement are not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
A breakdown by rank for corporal and above is not given because this could identify individuals and breach disclosure and confidentiality policy. The information is therefore being withheld under Exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Privacy of an individual). A breakdown within the RAC, AMS, some infantry regiments and some smaller corps is not given for the same reason. These are shown as single line entries for the RAC and AMS, under others for the smaller corps and line entries for each division of infantry to cover those regiments and former regiments within the division not listed separately.
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Service Personnel (Gulf)
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the food that is being sent to the Gulf with (a) the Naval Task Force and (b) the land forces deployment by (i) type, (ii) quantity and (iii) cost; and if he will make a statement. [93413]
Mr. Ingram: The type of food being sent to the Gulf in support of British Forces is a mixture of Operational Ration Packs and fresh food. I am withholding the quantity in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations. Costs are not yet available as the bulk of our force has not arrived in the region and the military feeding plan is not sufficiently mature to generate meaningful data.
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of providing United Kingdom military forces and medical auxiliaries deployed to the Gulf with prophylactic measures against (a) chemical and biological weapons and (b) insects. [93898]
Dr. Moonie: The United Kingdom armed forces have available to them a range of prophylactic measures to protect against chemical and biological weapons and insects. Because of the range of measures available and the fact that they are not specific to the deployment of personnel to the Gulf, the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what help is being given to companies that are supplying the uniform for the troops on deployment to the Gulf. [93997]
Mr. Ingram: Under normal circumstances the Senior Commercial Officer is the initial point of contact within the Defence Clothing (DC) organisation for all contractor inquiries. He provides information on how
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the Ministry of Defence procures and the processes applicable. For the current deployment the Defence Clothing organisation has established a small operational cell to assist contractors in the delivery of clothing requirements. This cell provides a link between contractors and other Agencies within the defence supply chain.
Since the Defence Clothing organisation uses reputable contractors, many of whom have done business with the MOD before, the channels of communications are well known and the types of support available are well established.
Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of uniforms procured for troops deployed to the Gulf. [94082]
Mr. Ingram: The total cost approved to date for clothing and related items of personal equipment required for troops deployed to the Gulf, in addition to that already held in stock, is approximately £22 million, although the actual figure spent could be less.
Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when (1) he expects desert (a) jackets, (b) trousers, (c) boots and (d) helmets to be delivered to troops deployed to the Gulf. [94091]
Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (2) when the new uniforms are due to be delivered to troops deployed to the Gulf. [94100]
Mr. Ingram: Troops deploying to the Gulf will be issued with the full desert clothing ensemble in time for any potential operations.
Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what uniform in addition to the standard issue is being ordered for use by troops deployed to the Gulf. [94101]
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Mr. Ingram: In addition to standard issue items, troops will be issued with a full desert ensemble (listed as follows) covering all required elements of head-to-toe protection. Service personnel are issued with the clothing appropriate to the environment in which they are required to deploy.
- Clothing:
Desert Field Jacket (plus hood), Desert Lightweight Jacket and Trousers, Desert Hat, Face Veil, Sweat Rags, Warm Weather T-Shirt, Warm Weather Socks, and Desert Combat Boots.
- Nuclear:
Biological and Chemical: Suits, Boots, Gloves, Canisters and Respirators.
- Enhanced Combat Body Armour:
Cover, Filler and Plates.
- Other items:
Operational Travel Bag, Lightweight Sleeping Bag, Cotton Sleeping Bag Liner, Personal Load Carriage Equipment Cover, Mk 6 Helmet Cover, Goggles, Sun Glasses, Sun Cream and Mosquito Net.
Mr. Ingram : A Warm Weather Sock, designed specifically for use in hotter climates, is being procured for troops deploying to the Gulf. None of the existing socks are being modified.
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