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13 May 2003 : Column 157W—continued
RAF Deaths
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) RAF have been killed while in service (i) in action, (ii) in action through friendly fire, (iii) by accident on operations, (iv) by accident on exercise and (v) by other means between (A) 11 September 1999 and 11 September 2001 and (B) 11 September 2001 to date; and if he will make a statement. [111827]
Mr. Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Royal Navy (Co-operation)
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent co-operation there has been between units of the Royal Navy and of the French Navy. [112254]
Mr. Ingram: Royal Navy and French Navy ships are occasionally attached to our respective Task Group deployments on a purely bilateral basis. The most recent attachments were those of FS Primauguet to the Naval Task Group (NTG) 2003 between 17 to 29 January 2003 and the French Minehunter, FS Cassiopee, to a Royal Navy Mine Countermeasure Group between 21 January to 7 March 2003. This followed the attachment of FS Aconit during the NTG 2000 deployment which built on the successful integration of HMS Somerset, followed by HMS Grafton, in the French Task Group during operations in the Adriatic in 1999. Such integration between our naval forces is considered routine business.
Royal Marines
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the flame-retardant properties of Royal Marines' uniforms. [112260]
Mr. Ingram: The standard issue uniform for the Royal Marines is the tri-service Combat Soldier 95 (CS95) or, if deployed in desert climates, its desert pattern equivalent. Neither has flame-retardant properties as Operational Analysis shows that the soldier on the battlefield faces a minimal risk from burn injuries.
Submarine Fleet
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to change the (a) size and (b) composition of the submarine fleet. [112264]
Mr. Ingram: The Department regularly reviews the Defence programme in order to deliver the optimum operational capability within available resources. There
13 May 2003 : Column 158W
are no current plans to alter the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear deterrent submarine fleet (SSBN), however, in line with the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, the Royal Navy's Swiftsure and Trafalgar class attack submarine (SSN) force level will reduce to 10 vessels by 2006. It is intended that the Swiftsure and Trafalgar class capability will be progressively superseded by new Astute class vessels through a phased replacement programme.
Tomahawk
Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK submarines have been fitted with the Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles and are ready for service; and what other improvements and refits have been carried out upon submarines. [110025]
Mr. Ingram: Five RN submarines are Tomahawk capable. Three are currently fully operational, with the fourth, HMS Spartan, undergoing sea trials before returning to the fleet in mid 2003, and the fifth, HMS Trafalgar, undergoing a fleet time maintenance period planned to complete in the first quarter of 2004.
In common with all RN vessels, submarines are subject to improvements and modifications throughout their operational lives. Details of all improvements and refits conducted could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, in addition to the fitting of Tomahawk, recently completed major upgrades have included major sonar improvements, a Submarine Command System upgrade, addition of the Spearfish Torpedo Weapons systems and various communications equipment upgrades. Re-fuelling of the submarines' nuclear reactors has also been undertaken during Long Overhaul Periods.
Additionally, I refer my hon. Friend to my recent answer on 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 311W, to the hon. Member for New Forest (Dr. Lewis) detailing the last upkeep periods that included a major upgrade for the current Swiftsure and Trafalgar Class submarines. Also HMS Vanguard is currently undergoing the first Long Overhaul period and re-fuelling of the Vanguard Class submarines.
Type 23 Frigate
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the annual financial savings from a decision to dispose of a Type 23 frigate. [111320]
Mr. Ingram: There are currently no plans to dispose of any Royal Navy Type 23 frigates earlier than scheduled. The annual financial savings arising from a decision to dispose of a Type 23 frigate prematurely would vary according to the circumstances. An Investment Appraisal would be conducted, including an examination of the resource accounting implications (eg depreciation, cost of capital charges etc.). Any decision, however, would be dependent on the Royal Navy's ability to maintain the required level of capability to meet its current and contingent operational requirements.
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Type 45 Destroyers
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to equip Type 45 destroyers with Tomahawk land attack missiles. [111333]
Mr. Ingram: As I made clear in my answer of 24 February Official Report, column 303W, the principal role of the Type 45 Destroyers will be Anti-Air Warfare. However, these ships are being designed and built with significant space and weight margins to enable incremental acquisition should an emerging requirement necessitate a different equipment fit. Our requirements are being kept under review, and the design could be modified, to incorporate improved land attack capabilities, including a cruise missile system such as Tomahawk.
War Pensions Claims
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what percentage of reviews of applications for (a) war disability pension and (b) war widows pension were (i) successful and (ii) successful when the claimant was represented by the Royal British Legion at independent tribunal in each of the last three years. [112553]
- (2) what percentage of reviews of applications for (a) war disability pension and (b) war widows pension were successful in each of the last three years. [112554]
Dr. Moonie: The percentages of successful entitlement appeals in respect of war disability pensions and war widow(er)s pensions heard by Pensions Appeal Tribunals for each of the last three years are shown in the following table:
| Year | War disability pension (percentages) | War widow(er)s pension (percentages) |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 41 | 26 |
| 2001 | 45 | 32 |
| 2000 | 39 | 20 |
The percentages of successful appeals in terms of an increased assessment in respect of war disability pensions heard by the Pensions Appeal Tribunals are shown in the table.
| Year | War Disability Pension percentage |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 36 |
| 2001 | 34 |
| 2000 | 31 |
We are unable to provide figures for the number of successful appeals where the claimant was represented by the Royal British Legion.
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims for (a) war disability pension and (b) war widows pension are awaiting review. [112556]
Dr. Moonie: At present there are some 1,200 appeals where the case papers have been prepared and are awaiting a tribunal hearing. It is not possible to provide separate figures in respect of war disablement pensions or war widow(er)s pensions.
13 May 2003 : Column 160W
Warships
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to dispose of Royal Navy frigates and destroyers which are not scheduled for fitting with Sonar 2087. [111312]
Mr. Ingram: Sonar 2087, a Low Frequency Active Sonar system, is planned to be fitted in 12 of the 16 Royal Navy Type 23 Frigates but not to any Destroyers. Since it is designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare, there are at present no plans to fit the system in other types of Royal Navy vessels, nor for those Frigates not currently scheduled to be fitted with Sonar 2087 to be disposed of earlier than planned previously.
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to sell (a) Type 22 and (b) Type 23 frigates to Chile within the next 12 months. [111316]
Mr. Ingram: There are no Royal Navy Type 22 or Type 23 frigates planned to become available for sale within the next 12 months. However we have recently concluded a Government to Government Sales Agreement with Chile for HMS Sheffield, a Batch 2 Type 22 frigate.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Indonesia
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guarantees have been given to the UK Government on the use by the Indonesian armed forces of military equipment exported by the UK; and if he will make a statement. [113235]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Senior members of the Indonesian Government and armed forces have repeatedly assured us that UK-supplied military equipment will not be used to suppress human rights in Indonesia. Despite allegations there have been no confirmed reports of offensive use of UK-built military equipment.
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