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9 Feb 2004 : Column 1182W—continued
Naval Ships (Sales Abroad)
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Disposal Services Agency has given the Indian Government a quote for the sale of (a) HMS Invincible and (b) Sea Harrier FA2s. [152223]
Mr. Ingram: The Disposal Services Agency has had no communication with the Indian Government with regard to the sale of either HMS Invincible or Sea Harrier FA2s.
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Disposals Services Agency has given the Chilean Government a quote for the sale of (a) Type 23 frigates and (b) Type 42 destroyers. [152224]
Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence maintains a dialogue with the Chilean Government with regard to Chile's future equipment requirements.
However, the Disposal Services Agency has made no formal proposals to the Chilean Government with regard to the sale of either Type 23 frigates or Type 42 destroyers.
Operation Telic (Helicopter Crashes)
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Board of Inquiry into the crash of two Sea King helicopters during Operation Telic will present its findings to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [152225]
Mr. Ingram: The Board of Inquiry reported on 29 April 2003. The Convening Officer at FLEET Headquarters confirmed that the BOI had fulfilled its Terms of Reference on 1 May 2003. Work was then undertaken by FLEET Headquarters to consider the recommendations, determine how matters could be taken forward and to consider the likely implications for other programmes and operations. This staffing work, which involved other agencies and included drawing up the timetable for implementing changes to operating procedures, was completed in November 2003.
A full technical investigation, undertaken in parallel by the Royal Navy Flight Safety and Accident Investigation Centre is still under way, and the report of its findings is not expected for some time. These findings will be given in a Military Aircraft Accident Summary that will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.
Procurement
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what monitoring system is in place to ensure consistency in the way that procurement competitions are held in each area of his Department. [151537]
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Mr. Ingram: The MOD does not have a single monitoring system in place to ensure consistency in the way that procurement competitions are undertaken. However competitive tendering and evaluation procedures are supported by strong processes operating within well established policy, including formally delegated responsibility and authority, which in itself drives consistency of approach in line with both European Directives and national law. The quality, impartiality and competence of the procurement staff who apply this policy also ensures consistency.
RAF Machrihanish
Mr. Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the suitability of RAF Machrihanish for storing radioactive waste. [153406]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 6 February 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 February 2004, Official Report, column 889W. RAF Machrihanish, along with a number of other sites, is currently being assessed for suitability to store radioactive material under Project ISOLUS. If any of these sites are found to be suitable in principle, public consultation, similar to that conducted at those sites already named in the outline proposals received from industry, will be undertaken.
Regimental Bands
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current strength of each regimental band in the armed forces is; and if he will make a statement. [151189]
Mr. Ingram: The trained strength of each Services bands are as follows:
(4) Royal Marines band service data provided by DASA.
(5) Strength as at 1 December 2003 and excludes 20 personnel not assigned to a Band unit. These individuals are usually deployed as Volunteer Band Instructors.
(6) Data supplied by Corps of Army Music (CAM).
(7) Strength as at 30 January 2004.
(8) Officers Music Branch and Other Ranks Musicians data supplied by DASA.
(9) Strength as at 1 December 2003 and excludes 10 personnel based at HQ Music Services in Uxbridge.
Note:
All figures include Officers and Other Ranks and have been rounded to the nearest five.
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South African Defence Minister (Visit)
Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) ministers and (b) officials from his Department met the former South African Defence Minister, Mr. Joe Modise, when he visited the UK during 1998; and whether his Department was informed of the visit by Mr. Modise to the UK and of the purpose of his visit. [151396]
Mr. Ingram: The former South African Defence Minister, Mr. Joe Modise met with Ministers and officials of the Ministry of Defence both in the United Kingdom and overseas in 1997. No record has been identified of an official visit to the UK in 1998 by Mr. Modise.
Spearfish Torpedo
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in replacing the Spearfish heavyweight torpedo. [152005]
Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence is currently considering potential replacements for the Spearfish torpedo as part of its Submarine Launched Underwater Weapon programme. This is in the Concept Phase of its Acquisition Cycle and a number of possible enhancements are being investigated.
Welsh Regiments and Battalions
Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) regiments based in Wales were deployed in Iraq and (b) soldiers from Welsh battalions are stationed in Iraq. [151741]
Mr. Ingram: The only regiment currently based in Wales to have deployed to Iraq is the 14th Signal Regiment.
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Approximately 480 soldiers from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Wales and approximately 30 territorial army soldiers from the Royal Welch Regiment, are currently deployed on Operation Telic.
EDUCATION AND SKILLS
Children's Centres
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what health care is provided to children in children's centres. [151121]
Margaret Hodge: Children's centres provide an opportunity for the enhancement and reshaping of health services for families with young children in the most disadvantaged areas of England. Services will vary according to local need but all children's centres must provide access to child and family health services. These services will include:
- ante-natal advice and support for parents;
- information and guidance on breast feeding, hygiene, nutrition and safety;
- identification, support and care for those suffering from maternal depression, ante-natally and post-natally;
- speech and language and other specialist support; and
- smoking cessation interventions.
Health professionals will work with other Early Years professionals in education, family support and child care to ensure children's needs are met in an integrated way.
Access Premium
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what amount of Access Premium has been allocated to each higher education institution. [153064]
Alan Johnson: The amount of funding for widening access and improving retention for each higher education institution in 2003/04 is set out in table 1 of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) publication 'Recurrent Grants for 2003–04, final allocations (2003/53)'. A copy of this document is available on the HEFCE's website athttp://www. hefce.ac.uk/Pubs/hefce/2003/03 53/.
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