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Colombia

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military and security assistance for Colombia is provided by the Government (a) bilaterally and (b) multilaterally; and what conditions and restrictions are placed on this aid. [120173]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 19 June 2003]: We do from time to time provide military and security advice and assistance to Colombia. The nature of this advice and assistance is confidential between Governments and I am withholding the details under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which covers information whose disclosure would be harmful to national security, defence or international relations.

C130K Fleet

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated run on costs are for the (a) C130K and (b) C17 aircraft; and what additional structural work will be needed on the C130K fleet to keep the aircraft operational until their out of service date. [117498]

Mr. Ingram: The cost of maintaining the C130K fleet is estimated at around £30 million per year (covering maintenance and support, but not the cost of aircrew,

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fuel, etc.). Based on current plans, it is expected that these aircraft will be withdrawn from service around the end of this decade. To ensure that the fleet remains operational up to this point, it is expected that modifications will be required on most of the fleet to maintain structural integrity of the aircraft. A more substantial work package, including outer wing replacement, may be required for several C130K aircraft that have undertaken more demanding flying tasks during recent operations.

We currently operate four C-17 aircraft obtained under lease until 2008. If we exercise the option to extend the lease on all four to 2010, the additional costs are estimated at around £130 million in total. This sum includes the cost of the lease extension and in-service costs for the two-year period 2008–10.

Defence Contracts

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the (a) date of initial gate approval, (b) target date for main gate approval, (c) approved cost of the assessment phase and (d) cost of demonstration and manufacture phase at initial gate are for the (i) Future Joint Combat Aircraft, (ii) Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft, (iii) in Transit Visibility, (iv) Indirect Fire Precision Attack, (v) Inner London Barracks, (vi) Integrated Ground Based Air Defence Phase 1, (vii) Light Forces Anti-tank Guided Weapon and (viii) Microwave Landing System programmes; [119595]

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

Defence Equipment Sales

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many (a) requests have been received by DESO from UK companies for special commissions to be paid on sale of defence equipment since 1990 and (b) special commissions DESO has approved since 1990; and if he will list (i) the countries in which these special commissions were to be paid and (ii) the amount to be paid; [108991]

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


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