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DEFENCE

Arctic

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the agreement reached with the US and Russia in respect of military environmental co-operation in the Arctic. [122667]

Mr. Caplin [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The United Kingdom formally joined the Arctic Military Environmental Cooperation (AMEC) Programme at a

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ceremony last week (26 June) together with the other AMEC partner countries, Norway, the Russian Federation and the United States.

The UK, in cooperation with these partners, will implement practical nuclear clean-up projects focused on naval bases in the north-west region of Russia. Initial UK project plans include submarine dismantling and the design and procurement of submarine float pontoons. AMEC will provide the UK with valuable defence diplomacy and environmental clean-up opportunities within Russia and working with the Russian navy.

I am able to confirm that the management of these projects will be undertaken by the Department for Trade and Industry as this forms part of the cross-Government approach to issues such as nuclear safety.

Canadian Airspace

Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in 2002 the RAF has used Canadian airspace for fast jet training; and what the cost was. [122115]

Mr. Caplin: Four exercises involving fast-jet aircraft were undertaken in Canadian airspace during 2002. The United Kingdom has a reciprocal agreement in force with Canada under which we do not pay any fees for using Canadian airspace.

Civil Contingency Unit

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the Civil Contingency Unit for the North East of England have been deployed to Iraq. [122127]

Mr. Ingram: It is assumed that the hon. Member is referring to the Civil Contingency Reaction Forces (CCRF), introduced as part of the New Chapter to the Strategic Defence Review, of which there are currently two based in the North East of England. CCRF (North), based with the Tyne Tees Regiment at Durham, and CCRF (South), based with the East and West Riding Regiment at Pontefract. The normal establishment of each of these units is 500 personnel.

The numbers of personnel from each that have been called up for service on Operation TELIC, are as follows: 160 personnel from CCRF (North), which represents less than one third of the total; and 144 personnel from CCRF (South), which represents about one quarter of the force. Although working under current call out notices, not all of these personnel may yet have actually deployed to theatre.

The SDR New Chapter introduced the requirement to establish one CCRF per regional brigade area, across the Mainland UK. As a result, and despite the fact that some CCRF personnel have been deployed to the Gulf, the required cover is still available to the North East regional brigade.

Defence Medical Services

Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new recruits to the Defence Medical Services

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have been signed up under the Golden Hello scheme; what the comparable inflow rates were for the previous six months; and if he will make a statement. [119009]

Mr. Caplin [holding answer 18 June 2003]: As at 11 June 2003, three vocationally trained General Medical Practitioners (GMPs) and two consultants had joined the Defence Medical Services (DMS) under the Golden Hello scheme. In addition, six vocationally trained GMPs and one consultant have been accepted into the DMS, but have not yet joined their Service, and 18 GMPs and five consultants are awaiting selection interviews.

In the six months prior to the introduction of the Golden Hello scheme, two consultants in the eligible specialties were recruited into the DMS.

Defence Procurement

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 20 June 2003, Official Report, column 510W, on defence procurement, what factors underlay (a) the gap between the in service date (ISD) at the time the contract was let and the current estimated ISD and (b) the cost difference for the same period in respect of the (i) Swiftsure and Trafalgar submarines, (ii) Astute submarines, (iii) Typhoon and (iv) ASRAAM and (v) MRA4; and if he will make a statement. [122324]

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

Executive Agencies (Key Targets)

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what key targets have been set for (a) the Meteorological Office, (b) the Chief Executive of the Warship Support Agency, (c) the Defence Analytical Services Agency and (d) the Defence Communication Services Agency for Financial Year 2003–04; [120812]

Mr. Caplin: Key targets for Financial Year 2003–04 for the following agencies have previously been announced via a Written Ministerial Statement. I refer the hon. Member to the relevant Official Report:


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Key targets for the Defence Communication and Services Agency, Defence Estates, Defence Housing Executive, Defence Procurement Agency, RAF Training Group Defence Agency, Warship Support Agency and Service Children's Education are currently being finalised, with the intention of announcing them to the House prior to the summer recess.

Guardsmen Fisher and Wright

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he will take following the declaration of the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal on the application of Mrs. Jean McBride relating to the reasons for retention in service of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright. [122230]

Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has sought Counsel's advice following the recent Court of Appeal Northern Ireland ruling on the Fisher and Wright case. This advice has been received and is currently being considered.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what inspections have been carried out since the end of the invasion of Iraq of dual-use chemical plants built and operated since UNSCOM reported in January 1999 on the destruction of the older chemical plants. [122504]

Mr. Ingram: A number of chemical plants in Iraq which could be dual use have been visited by Coalition forces since March 2003. Sites are being identified and investigated as information becomes available. Investigations may require more than one visit to certain sites and the process will not be quick. The Government have made clear its determination to assemble evidence of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and we aim to make public our findings where appropriate.

Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent estimate is of the number of civilians killed in Iraq since 1 January. [114209]

Mr. Ingram: We have no means of ascertaining the numbers of military or civilian lives lost during decisive military operations in Iraq, although we made every effort to minimise civilian casualties.

Medical Personnel

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British personnel have been seconded to the Iraq survey groups; and what their expertise is. [114514]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 19 May 2003]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 23 June 2003, Official Report, column 536W, to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice).

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The Iraq Survey Group will have a changing membership based on the task at hand and will be able to draw upon expertise and personnel as required. Its members will include Service personnel and subject-matter technical experts.

Service Personnel (Deaths)

Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members of Her Majesty's armed forces have died through (a) deaths ruled as self-inflicted, (b) firearms discharge, (c) medical conditions induced by training activities and (d) alcohol-related incidents since 1990; [122529]

Mr. Caplin: The information required is still being collated. When this is complete 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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