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Future Aircraft Carriers

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of the maximum number of aircraft which will be capable of deployment on each future aircraft carrier. [146511]

Mr. Ingram: The CVF programme is currently in its Assessment Phase. This stage of work is intended to balance the key parameters of performance, time and cost in order to best meet our developing capability requirements, both in terms of the ships themselves and in the aircraft they will operate. The precise number of aircraft capable of being deployed on each CVF is still being finalised and will continue to evolve as the programme progresses.

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HMS Bridport

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what repair work needed to be done to HMS Bridport in the 12 months before she was withdrawn from service; [150866]

(2) what his assessment is of the cost of bringing HMS Bridport into operational service. [150867]

Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 20 January 2003, Official Report, column 72W. During the 12 months before HMS Bridport was placed in extended readiness, no specific repair work needed to be done other than the routine maintenance and periodic safety related tasks which are necessary to enable RN ships to fulfil Fleet tasking. Should the decision be taken to return HMS Bridport to operational service, the cost of regeneration would depend on her material state and the plans for her future tasking at that time. Bridport was to have undergone a refit in 2002. However, in view of the decision to hold her in extended readiness, this work was not undertaken. Therefore, to regenerate her would require, as a minimum, an extended refit.

Hutton Report

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who in his Department saw the embargoed version of Lord Hutton's report. [152677]

Mr. Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer, which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 3 February 2004, Official Report, column 758W.

Information Technology

Mr. Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what cost savings have been made in his Department since the introduction of the Information Technology Procurement Centre of Excellence; and how these were calculated. [151039]

Mr. Caplin: In June 2003 the Ministry of Defence set up a centre of excellence covering all procurement issues. MOD has not attributed cost savings to the Centre of Excellence.

Iodine Tablets (Nuclear Submarine Berths)

Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the reason was for the issuing of stable iodine tablets to members of the public living near the nuclear submarine berths at Loch Ewe and in Broadford Bay; and if he will make a statement. [147133]

Mr. Ingram: There is a berth at Aultbea (Loch Ewe) and a second at Broadford Bay that are designated as suitable for visits by operational nuclear-powered warships. Under the Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations 2001 (REPPIR 2001), local authorities have responsibility for preparing an off-site emergency plan in the vicinity of such berths. Decisions on the distribution of Potassium Iodate Tablets form part of this planning activity.

The purpose of emergency planning is to ensure that procedures are in place to maximise public safety. Following a review, Wester Loch Ewe Community

9 Feb 2004 : Column 1180W

Council in consultation with NHS Highlands and Islands and the Northern Constabulary, and with advice from the Ministry of Defence, decided that the most practical and efficient means of ensuring that Potassium Iodate Tablets are readily available, in the very unlikely event of a nuclear incident at the Aultbea and Broadford Bay berths, would be to pre-distribute the tablets to the local population. The tablets have been distributed by the MOD, on behalf of the local authorities, to all properties, private and commercial, within a two kilometre radius of Aultbea and Broadford Bay within the last two weeks.

Iraq

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Arabic speakers are employed by British forces in Iraq; in what situations they are employed; and from where they have been recruited. [145493]

Mr. Ingram: Arabic-speaking personnel working in Iraq include qualified interpreters who assist senior military and civilian officials, UK military specialists who mostly-deal with translation of classified information, interpreters employed in theatre (mainly Iraqis but also some Kuwaitis), civilians taken on locally to assist with general low-level communication with the Iraqi population and civilians locally recruited for some support and administrative tasks. The total number of Arabic speakers in Iraq is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Iraqi arms dumps have been discovered in Iraq since 1 May 2003; and if he will make a statement. [147172]

Mr. Ingram: As at 2 February 48 major Iraqi arms dumps had been identified in the Multinational Division (South East) area of responsibility. We are not in a position to comment on other areas of Iraq.

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from members of the Iraqi Governing Council about alleged violations of human rights by coalition forces. [147664]

Mr. Ingram: We are not aware of any representations by members of the Iraqi Governing Council about alleged violations of human rights by coalition forces.

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to receive the result of the investigation into the killing of six Iraqis last weekend; who is carrying out the investigation; and if he will make a statement. [148509]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 19 January 2004]: During the crowd disturbance on 10 January in Al Amarah an Iraqi threw explosive devices at United Kingdom forces who were endeavouring to calm the situation. The Iraqi was preparing to throw a further device when he was shot and killed by a British soldier. In accordance with standard procedures the incident has been assessed by the local British Commander who concluded that the soldier acted fully within his Rules of Engagement.

The deaths of the other five Iraqi civilians were not caused by British forces. Any investigation will be a matter for the relevant Iraqi authorities.

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Mrs. Liddell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the liaison between the Multinational Division (South East) and community and religious leaders in Basrah. [143743]

Mr. Ingram: There is a wide variety of liaison activities conducted with community and religious groups on a frequent basis including by the General Officer Commanding United Kingdom forces. Meetings are held on a one to one basis with community and other influential leaders, governors, clerics and police officials. Larger meetings are held with representative associations such as local, tribal and provincial councils, political parties and provincial security committees. In addition the Division liaises on a more informal basis with professional groupings such as lawyers and academics.

Military Equipment

Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what riot control equipment is provided to British forces in the Gulf; in what circumstances this equipment is deployed; and whether it is available to all forces personnel who need it. [153049]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 5 February 2004]: Seven riot control packs are currently provided to British forces in the Gulf. Each pack supplies an 80-man company and includes batons, shields, visor helmets and baton guns. This equipment is available to British forces personnel who are deployed to support the Iraqi police service in the maintenance of public order and is used in accordance with the Rules of Engagement for Operation Telic.

Ministry of Defence Police

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Ministry of Defence Police is expected to make efficiency savings. [152239]

Mr. Caplin: The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) is required to identify, and make, efficiency savings through the departmental financial planning process.

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Ministry of Defence Police stations have been closed in the past two years; and what representations he has received from police forces about the closure of Ministry of Defence Police stations. [152240]

Mr. Caplin: Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) station closures, during the last two years are detailed below:

MOD Police Station	Date of closure
RO Nottingham	8 February 2002
ATR Lichfield	25 March 2002
HMS Cambridge	31 March 2002
AFC Harrogate	29 July 2002
Netheravon	30 September 2002
West Freugh	30 September 2002
Longcross Barracks	30 November 2002
DERA Pendine	30 November 2002
DERA Shoeburyness	January 2003
HMS Forest Moor	31 October 2003
Feltham Station	30 January 2004

In addition, the MDP Agency Management Board have determined that MDP Area Policing Teams will be replaced by Divisional Support Groups (DSGs) in April 2004, involving some changes of locations. Mr. C. D. Lee, Deputy Chief Constable, Dorset Police and Mr. S. Long, Deputy Chief Constable, Wiltshire Constabulary, have both written to the Chief Constable, MDP about the planned MDP DSGs.

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