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6 Feb 2004 : Column 1100W—continued
European Defence
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what steps have been taken in relation to the European Council's decision to begin the improvement of the preparation of European Union operations having recourse to NATO assets and capabilities; when such steps were taken; what further steps are envisaged; and if he will make a statement; [153325]
- (2) what steps have been taken in relation to the establishment of a cell with civil and military components in line with the European Council's decision of 12 December 2003; what future steps are planned; when he expects such a cell to be completed and operational; and if he will make a statement. [153326]
Mr. Straw: The Conclusions of the 12–13 December 2003 European Council welcomed the Presidency paper on "European Defence: NATO/EU consultation, planning and operations." This sets out how the European Union's collective crisis management capacity can be strengthened, particularly in the field of planning. The European Council invited the Secretary General/High Representative, Javier Solana, to propose measures for the improvement of the preparation of European Union operations having recourse to NATO assets and capabilities, and for the establishment of a cell with civil and military components. The European Council concluded that these measures should enter into force as early as possible in 2004.
We look forward to the Secretary General/High Representative's initial report, which will be a basis for discussion among EU member states and with NATO and will lead to further, more detailed work. The Government supports the strengthening of NATO/EU planning links and of ESDP planning capacity, particularly in the civilian/military area. The Presidency paper reflects UK priorities and we will remain in touch with the Council bodies and other member states as work to implement it is taken forward.
Iraq
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 22 January 2004, Official Report, column 1415W, on Iraq, what the timetable is for the International Advisory and Monitoring Board completing the
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report on the income and expenditures of the Development Fund for Iraq by the Coalition Provisional Authority. [152413]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: No timetable for completion of the report on income and expenditures has been published by the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB). The IAMB is an independent body, with membership drawn from the UN, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development.
Pakistan
Mr. Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which companies were represented on the trade mission to Pakistan in December 2003 which was joined by the Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs. [152854]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) led a Trade mission to Pakistan, on 7–12 December 2003. The mission was funded by UK Trade and Investment under the outward mission scheme; 12 UK companies took part in the mission.
NCCI have asked us not to release the names of the companies owing to commercial sensitivities.
Solana Paper
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he expects to take in order to implement the recommendations of the Solana paper adopted at the European Council of 12 December 2003; what changes he expects to make to the UK security posture; and if he will make a statement. [153327]
Mr. Straw: The Government expects initial implementation of the Strategy to concentrate on the four priority areas tasked by the European Council when it adopted the European Security Strategy at its December meeting: effective multilateralism with the UN at its core, the fight against terrorism, a strategy towards the region of the Middle East and a comprehensive policy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Government are committed to the full implementation of the Strategy to help bring coherence and greater robustness to the EU's external policies.
The UK's security posture is already in line with the analysis behind the European Security Strategy. As outlined in the Strategic Defence Review New Chapter, we have already taken steps to ensure our forces are configured to respond to the new global threats of the post September 11th world by making our armed forces more flexible, with improved global reach. The UK has long argued for improved European defence capabilities, coherence in bringing together the EU's existing tools, both civilian and military, and a strong transatlantic link. The European Security Strategy sets out the framework to achieve this.
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WORK AND PENSIONS
Departmental Staff
Mr. Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are employed by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible. [153233]
Maria Eagle: The information is in the following table.
| Number of staff | |
|---|---|
| Departmental staff | 20,363 |
| Agency staff | 122,432 |
| Non-departmental public bodies staff | 4,372 |
| Total staff | 147,167 |
Notes:
1. Numbers are point in time as at 31 December 2003.
2. Numbers are expressed as staff in post (headcount) and are consistent with Cabinet Office definitions other than for the inclusion of staff on paid maternity leave.
3. Temporary staff are included.
4. Departmental Staff comprise the Department's Corporate Centre which includes Debt Management and the Disability and Carers Service.
5. Agencies include: Jobcentre Plus, The Pension Service, Child Support Agency and Appeals Service.
6. Non-departmental public bodies includes Health and Safety Executive, and two Independent Statutory Bodies, Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority and Office of the Pensions Ombudsman.
DEFENCE
Bugaled Breizh
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 28 January 2004, Official Report, column 367W, on Bugaled Breizh, if he will give the locations of the other military vessels from other nations involved in the international exercise at the time of the sinking of the Bugaled Breizh. [153399]
Mr. Ingram: From information provided by the vessels at the time, the locations of the foreign warships involved in the international exercise were:
| Nation/Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Dutch | |
| Karel Doorman | Alongside Devonport |
| Van Nes | Alongside Devonport |
| Dolfijn | On surface in position 49–32.33N 005–16.16W |
| French | |
| Primaguet | At anchor in Falmouth Bay |
| Cdt. Blaizon | At anchor in Plymouth Sound |
| German | |
| U26 | Alongside Devonport |
| Spain | |
| Extremadura | Alongside Devonport |
Civilian Deaths
Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what steps his Department has taken to identify the number of civilians killed as a consequence of UK
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military action in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq; and what measures it adopts to address the needs of dependants; [143595]
- (2) what his estimate is of the number of civilians killed (a) directly and (b) indirectly by UK forces during military operations in (i) Afghanistan and (ii) Iraq. [143594]
Mr. Ingram: We make every effort to minimise any impact of the coalition's military action on the Iraqi and Afghanistan populations. We have no reliable means of ascertaining the numbers of Iraqi military personnel or civilians killed during major combat operations in either country.
Since the end of major combat operations in both countries, UK forces have reported all fatalities which arose from incidents in which they were involved and of which they are aware. In cases where we are able to confirm that a civilian fatality has been caused by UK forces, local officials have access to advice to help them assess the needs of dependants.
Defence Fire Service
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the budget for the Defence Fire Service was in 2003; what the anticipated outturn is; how much is budgeted for 2004; and what additional costs have been incurred as a result of Operation Telic. [146167]
Mr. Ingram: There is not a single central budget for the Defence Fire Service, the costs of which are disaggregated to lower level budget holders. Information on the total cost of the Defence Fire Service is therefore not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The total additional costs to date of the Defence Fire Service deployment for Operation Telic has been £3.28 million.
Defence Munitions Depot (Dean Hill)
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Defence Munitions Depot at Dean Hill is still in use; and if he will make a statement. [147178]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 14 January 2004]: The Defence Munitions Depot at Dean Hill is no longer in use. All munitions tasks have been transferred to other sites as part of the closure plan, which remains on schedule for completion by 1 April 2004.
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