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RAF Stanbridge

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role RAF Stanbridge, Leighton Buzzard is playing in the Iraq crisis. [104612]

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Mr. Ingram: RAF Stanbridge hosts some of the logistic computer systems that are used to manage the defence inventory. The staff that work there support the United Kingdom Armed Forces in peacetime, and when deployed for training and operations.

Satellite Centre

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has held with full members of NATO on the involvement of (a) associate members and (b) partners in the work of the Satellite Centre; and if he will make a statement. [103872]

Mr. Hoon: Under the terms of the Joint Action that established the EU Satellite Centre, non-EU European Allies and EU Accession Candidates are able, through mutual agreement, to task and participate in the work of the Centre. This is consistent with the United Kingdom's wish to see the EU Satellite Centre make an effective contribution to crisis management in the EU and other organisations, including NATO.

Search and Rescue

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the range is of UK combat search and rescue capabilities when launched (a) from a land-based platform and (b) from a sea-based platform, when working in conjunction with the UK's allies; [104329]

(2) what the range is of UK combat search and rescue capabilities when launched (a) from a land-based platform and (b) from a sea-based platform. [104330]

Mr. Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Stimulants

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of amphetamines and other stimulants by British armed forces. [96751]

Dr. Moonie [holding answer 10 February 2003]: In common with civilian medical practice, amphetamines and other stimulant drugs may be prescribed by armed forces medical personnel for defined clinical conditions. However, such clinical conditions would preclude operational deployment. Misuse of these or other drugs would result in disciplinary action.

Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the use of go pills and similar drugs by (a) Royal Air Force, (b) Fleet Air Arm and (c) Army Air Corps personnel (i) seconded to, (ii) attached to, (iii) under the operational command of and (iv) on personnel exchanges with the United States armed forces. [98720]

Dr. Moonie: United Kingdom armed forces aircrew serving on exchange or attachment with the United States armed forces operate under the same terms and conditions as US personnel. Therefore, any drug or non-medicinal products offered to US armed forces aircrew to counter fatigue would also be offered to UK aircrew on exchange or attachment who are engaged in the same mission. In accordance with US armed forces policy, the

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use of such products is voluntary and only permissible after individuals have been tested for adverse effects. The offer of these products is subject to strict criteria and close medical supervision. UK aircrew on exchange or attachment with the US armed forces are permitted to accept the same drugs to counter fatigue as US aircrew, subject to the same conditions.

British forces under operational command of US forces would continue to adhere to standard UK operating procedures. It is not our practice to issue drugs or other products to UK armed forces aircrew to counter fatigue.

Tri-service Soldier Programme

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Future Integrated Soldier Technology requirements. [104339]

Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I gave on 12 March 2003, Official Report, column 14WS.

South Korea

Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom military personnel are serving with the United Nations Command in Korea. [104682]

Mr. Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 6 March 2003, Official Report, column 1175W, to the hon. Member for Newark (Patrick Mercer).

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

British Transport Police

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Solicitor-General how many successful prosecutions there have been of offenders apprehended by the British Transport Police in each of the last four years. [103477]

The Solicitor-General: All Crown Prosecution Service casework units across England and Wales are likely to receive cases for review and prosecution from a number of police sources, the British Transport Police being one such source. Crown Prosecution Service casework data are not disaggregated in a way that differentiates between various police sources. It would not be practicable, and would involve a disproportionate cost, now to survey all case files for the past four years to determine how many British Transport Police case files resulted in a successful prosecution.

House of Commons (Legal Advice)

Mr. Burnett: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on her role and responsibilities for providing legal advice to this House. [103642]

The Solicitor-General [holding answer 18 March 2003]: The Law Officers' role as legal advisors to Parliament covers three areas. First, the constitution and conduct of proceedings in the House, including questions of parliamentary privilege. Secondly, the conduct and discipline of Members. Thirdly, the meaning and effect of proposed legislation.

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However, by a longstanding convention, observed by successive Governments and reflected in the Ministerial Code, the Law Officers' legal advice to the Government remains confidential. This enables Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence. To express a view independently to Parliament on matters which may be consulted by the Government would undermine the confidentiality of the lawyer/client relationship between the Law Officers and the Government.

Iraq

Mr. Kilfoyle: To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, column 515W, to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash), what advice the Attorney-General has given the Government on war with Iraq without explicit United Nations authorisation. [103971]

The Solicitor-General: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 17 March 2003, Official Report, column 515W, to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash), in which I set out the terms of a written answer by the Attorney-General to a question from Baroness Ramsay on his view of the legal basis for the use of force against Iraq.

By longstanding convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact and substance of Law Officers' advice is not disclosed outside Government. This convention is referred to in paragraph 24 of the ministerial code.

Llew Smith: To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to her answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, column 515W, on Iraq, what discussions the Attorney-General has had with his United States counterpart on the legality of a military attack upon Iraq without a successor resolution to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441. [104004]

The Solicitor-General: The Attorney-General had a short meeting with his US counterpart in Washington on 10 February. Discussion covered a range of legal issues. It is not the practice to disclose the content of confidential discussions with foreign Governments.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Crime Reduction

13. Mr. Khabra: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role the (a) Prison Service and (b) probation services have in reducing crime; and if he will make a statement. [104119]

Hilary Benn: The Prison and Probation Services contribute jointly to the Home Office target to reduce re-offending by 5 per cent. for both offenders sentenced to imprisonment and those given community sentences. The latest published figures, for adults commencing community penalties or discharged from custody in 1999, show a 3.2 per cent. reduction in reconvictions compared with 1997.

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Land (Illegal Occupation)

17. David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Association of Chief Police Officers on enforcing the law on illegal occupation of land. [104123]

Mr. Wills: We meet the Association of Chief Police Officers regularly both at ministerial and official level to discuss a wide range of issues. On this issue of illegal occupation of land, the Association of Chief Police Officers were consulted. They made comments on our proposals announced in July 2002, that we intended to bring forward new eviction powers for police to deal with unauthorised encampments, where local authorities have made adequate site provision, without the preconditions found in the current legislation. We hope to bring forward the new powers once parliamentary time allows.

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