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9 Jul 2003 : Column 805W—continued
Atomic Weapons Research Establishment
Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the purpose is of the new tritium plant being built at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston. [123486]
Mr. Caplin: The purpose of the new Tritium Handling Facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment is to replace a 40-year-old facility which is now being decommissioned.
Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the Department plans to secure tritium supplies after production ceases at Chapelcross. [123487]
Mr. Caplin: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 12 February 2002, Official Report, column 175W, to the hon. Member for Keighley (Mrs. Cryer).
Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 11 June 2003, Official Report, column 915W, on scientific exchanges, if he will list the United States Departments and establishments that were visited by AWE personnel. [123589]
Mr. Caplin: AWE personnel on scientific exchanges to the United States in 2002 visited the following Departments or establishments:
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Sandia National Laboratories
ITT Industries
Honeywell Kansas City Plant
BWXT Pantex Plant
BWXT Y-12 Plant
National Nuclear Security Administration Headquarters
Bechtel Nevada
NNSA Savannah River site
Logicon RDA
Titan Corporation
Mitre Corporation
Picatinny Arsenal
US Strategic Command
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
LLE Rochester
Pacific Northwest Laboratories
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space
Bolling Air Force Base
AFT AC Patrick Air Force Base
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Naval Surface Warfare Center
Science Applications International Corporation
Mr. Caplin: United States visitors to AWE on scientific exchanges in 2002 were from the following State Departments or establishments:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Sandia National Laboratories
ITT Industries
Honeywell Kansas City Plant
BWXT Pantex Plant
BWXT Y-12 Plant
National Nuclear Security Administration Headquarters
Bechtel Nevada
Science Applications International Corporation
Titan Corporation
US Strategic Command
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Naval Research Laboratory
Alme Associates
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space
LLE Rochester
Naval Surface Warfare Center
Strategic Systems Programs
Bullying
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken by principal personnel officers in the Army to identify best practice in dealing with bullying; in what form common procedures have been established; and what the agreed definition of bullying is. [112620]
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Mr. Caplin: The Army's zero tolerance policy towards bullying is reviewed regularly to ensure best practice in the light of experience and to take account of emerging legislation. The policy was re-emphasised when the new Armed Forces Code of Social Conduct was issued to all personnel in January 2000. The Armed Forces Diversity policy, issued subsequently in June 2002, strives to create an environment that is free from harassment, intimidation and unlawful discrimination. In this spirit, the Army, in common with the other two Services, has set up a confidential helpline for use by personnel who consider themselves to be the victims of bullying or harassment.
The Army's policy on bullying is promulgated extensively through the chain of command. Commanders at all levels are briefed specifically on it and the policy features widely in service literature. In addition each unit routinely publishes orders at least every six months reminding personnel of their rights as individuals and how to raise a complaint if they feel they are being bullied. The chain of command also issues reminders on bullying policy where it considers it necessary to do so.
There is no legal definition of bullying. However, the Army defines bullying as the abuse of physical or mental strength or a position of authority to intimidate, persecute or victimise individual(s).
Deepcut Barracks (Drugs)
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken to discourage the use of illegal drugs at Deepcut barracks since 1995. [124174]
Mr. Caplin: Drug misuse is unacceptable in the armed forces and the Services have vigorous education and training programmes aimed at deterring drug misuse. Steps taken include drugs awareness lectures and regular poster campaigns to promote awareness on the dangers and consequences of the misuse of drugs. In recognition of the growing drug problem within the society from which it recruits, the Army introduced a Compulsory Drug Testing programme in May 1995. All measures to deter the misuse of drugs have, and continue to be, applied at Deepcut as they are applied at all military units.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date NATO was given right of first refusal over the European Security and Defence Policy mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; [119854]
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- (2) what discussions have taken place between (a) the UK Government and (b) the EU with the US Administration concerning the proposed ESDP deployment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [119855]
Mr. Ingram: The United Kingdom Government have on-going discussions on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the ESDP deployment, with the US Administration. Under the European Security and Defence Policy the EU undertakes operations where NATO as a whole is not engaged. The EU Secretary General/High Representative, Mr Solana, briefed NATO Foreign Ministers, including US representatives, on EU discussions about the operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 3 June. NATO Foreign Ministers welcomed this transparency. There was no suggestion that NATO would become engaged. NATO and the EU are autonomous organisations. As such, they take decisions independently of each other, albeit in close consultation.
Electromagnetic Pulse Weapons
Mr. Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research has been undertaken into the threat posed by the use of electromagnetic pulse weapons; what steps have been taken to protect against the effects of such weapons; and if he will make a statement. [111231]
Mr. Ingram: Research programmes have been undertaken since the mid 1980s into the threat posed by electromagnetic energy, including high power microwave and radio frequency sources, to both military and civil electronics-rich systems. This research has produced guidelines and procedures to alleviate these effects, by using good equipment fabrication practice, shielding techniques and hardened circuit design.
Eurofighter Typhoon
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when first deliveries of the Eurofighter Typhoon will be made to the Royal Air Force. [123570]
Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 30 June 2003, Official Report, column 1WS.
Iraq
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list (a) the location and (b) the number of British service personnel (i) killed and (ii) injured while on military duties in Iraq in 2003. [122308]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 30 June 2003]: As at 30 June 43 UK personnel have died and 155 have been injured since the beginning of Operation Telic.
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We cannot provide the locations of the incidents where service personnel were injured as these are not held centrally.
Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in clearing sites in Iraq where cluster bombs were used; and if he will make a statement. [112531]
Mr. Hoon: United Kingdom and other coalition explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams in the UK's area of responsibility have completed over 1,000 tasks and destroyed over 100,000 individual munitions. We do not record types of munitions destroyed.
A full survey of sites contaminated with unexploded munitions is now under way. The survey is being conducted in concert with other coalition forces, non-governmental organisations and demining companies. On average about 30 new EOD tasks are being identified each week.
We cannot comment on progress made by other coalition partners, other than to reiterate that providing a safe, secure and risk free environment for the Iraqi people is a key aspect of restoration activity for all the coalition.
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