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3 Feb 2003 : Column 67W—continued
Survey Ships
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Royal Navy (a) paid off each of its ocean and coastal survey ships and (b) brought into full operational service HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise. [94545]
Mr. Ingram: The Royal Navy has not paid off each of its ocean and coastal survey ships, but has decommissioned one ocean class (HMS Herald, commissioned in 1974) and two coastal class (HMS Bulldog and HMS Beagle, both commissioned in 1968) survey ships during financial year 2001–02. Two replacement, and considerably more capable, coastal survey ships (HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise) are currently scheduled to enter service in May 2003 and December 2003 respectively.
Swiftsure Class Submarines
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the operational status is of each of the Swiftsure class submarines; and when each is expected to be paid off. [94552]
Mr. Ingram: The specific operational status of each submarine is classified for security reasons and is being withheld under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The planned operational decommissioning dates for the Royal Navy's Swiftsure submarines are as follows.
3 Feb 2003 : Column 68W
| Submarines | |
|---|---|
| 2003 | HMS Splendid |
| 2005 | HMS Sovereign |
| 2006 | HMS Superb |
| 2006 | HMS Spartan |
| 2010 | HMS Sceptre |
Tanker Vessels
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Royal Navy (a) paid off each of the O-class RFA tankers and (b) brought into full operational service their Wave-class replacements. [94546]
Mr. Ingram: The Royal Navy decommissioned two O-class RFA Fleet tankers during financial year 2000–01: HMS Olwen (commissioned in 1965) and HMS Olna (commissioned in 1966). Of their Wave-class Auxiliary Oilers (AO) vessel replacements, HMS Wave Knight is expected to enter service in February 2003 and HMS Wave Ruler in March 2003.
Terrorism
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the terrorist threat to (a) Royal Navy and Royal Marines recruitment offices and (b) Royal Navy and Royal Marines museums since September 2001. [94541]
Mr. Ingram: The assessment of threats to all establishments connected with the armed forces is kept under constant review. Royal Navy and Royal Marine careers office managers and the directors of our museums are kept aware of threat assessments and precautions are taken accordingly.
Type 23 Frigate
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will fit Goalkeeper or Phalanx systems to Type 23 frigates. [94543]
Mr. Ingram: Anti-Ship Missile Defence and Close in Weapon Defence for Type 23 is provided by the Vertical Launch Seawolf missile system and close-range guns, and we are currently considering a programme to provide self-defence to surface vessels by enabling them to identify, engage and defeat small enemy craft. However, physical constraints preclude fitting Goalkeeper or Phalanx to Type 23s.
Uniforms (Procurement)
Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposed improvements to uniforms issued to HM forces are being studied by the Defence Procurement Agency. [94087]
Mr. Ingram: We constantly strive to improve service clothing. All of the latest improvements that have reached maturity have been incorporated into the orders that have been placed for contingency preparations for the Gulf. The Defence Logistic Organisation and not the Defence Procurement Agency are responsible for the procurement and management of clothing.
Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is responsible for future strategy on the procurement of uniforms for HM forces. [94099]
3 Feb 2003 : Column 69W
Mr. Ingram: The Equipment Capability Customer organisation is responsible for the future strategy on the procurement of operational clothing. The Defence Clothing Joint User Working Group, in consultation with the single-Service Dress Committees, has responsibility for the strategy on the procurement of parade and ceremonial uniforms.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Asylum Reception Centres
Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what due diligence was carried out on the company Accommodata, which is to operate the refugee and asylum reception centre at the Coniston Hotel; when NASS signed a contract with them; who owns Accommodata; under what jurisdiction they are based; and if he will make a statement. [91358]
Beverley Hughes: The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is part of the Home Office and all its procurement exercises are undertaken in accordance with standard Government procurement rules. As part of the procurement process checks were made on the capability and suitability of Accommodata, a UK-based limited company. A contract for use of rooms at the Coniston Hotel was signed on 11 December 2002.
Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions NASS has had with the owners of the Coniston Hotel about its plans for a refugee and asylum reception centre. [91359]
Beverley Hughes: There have been no discussions between the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and the current owners of the Coniston Hotel. NASS has entered into a contract with Accommodata to provide up to 111 bedspaces at the hotel.
Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what undertakings the Home Office gave to Kent county council with respect to agreeing not to open further refugee and asylum reception centres. [91360]
Beverley Hughes: In 2000 we agreed that Kent would not be a dispersal area for asylum seekers. Since 2000 asylum seekers have been housed in emergency accommodation in Kent whilst their applications for support (including accommodation) were processed. The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) have not given any undertakings to Kent county council that it would not open any additional emergency accommodation nor any induction centres which are planned as the replacement for emergency accommodation.
Asylum Seekers
Mr. Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people formerly resident in the Sangatte camp have been given permission to enter the UK since the closure of the camp. [93581]
Beverley Hughes: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 20 January 2003, Official Report, column 182W.
3 Feb 2003 : Column 70W
Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of asylum claims received a decision within two months in the last period for which figures are available. [93864]
Beverley Hughes: The latest provisional data indicate that 77 per cent. of applications 1 , 2 received in April to June 2002 had initial decisions reached and served within two months 3 . The corresponding figure for 2001–02 was 60 per cent. Information on asylum applications is published quarterly. The next publication will be available from the end of February 2003 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
- 1 A-CID database as at 1 November 2002.
- 2 Excludes withdrawals and third country cases which may be the responsibility of other EU member states under the terms of the Dublin Convention. Home Office's Public Service Agreement target for 2001–02 was 60 per cent. and for 2002–03 is 65 per cent. Details of Government targets relating to the proportion of decisions served within two months are provided in the 2000 Spending Review Public Service Agreements White Paper available from .
- 3 "Two months" is defined as 61 days, "Four months" is defined as 122 days, "Six months" is defined as 183 days.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list hotels and guesthouses in Horley, Surrey which are providing accommodation to asylum seekers; how many individuals are accommodated in each case; and what their country of origin is. [94446]
Beverley Hughes [holding answer 30 January 2003]: The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) does not currently accommodate any asylum seekers in hotels in Horley. NASS does not have a central record of hotels used by local authorities providing housing for asylum seekers.
Caythorpe Court
Mr. Hogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham in the next three days in order to discuss Home Office plans to use Caythorpe Court as an emergency centre for asylum seekers. [94639]
Mr. Blunkett: I refer the right hon. and learned Member to my letters of 28 and 29 January 2003.
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