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SDR (Consultation Document)

Mr. Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the individuals and organisations to whom (a) his Department, (b) its executive agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible sent a copy of the consultation document, A New Chapter to the Strategic Defence Review: the role of the reserves in home defence and security. [153851]

Mr. Ingram: The consultation document "A new chapter to the strategic defence review: the role of the reserves in home defence and security" was distributed by the Ministry of Defence in June 2002, with a consultation period of three months.

It is not possible or practicable to list every individual who received a copy of this document. However, I can confirm that the following organisations or groups of people were sent a copy:

The Chairman and Members of the House of Commons Defence Committee

Opposition Defence Spokesmen

Selected Government Departments

Ex-Chiefs of the Defence Staff

The Local Government Association

Local Government Chief Executives

Emergency Planning Society

Scottish Executive

Northern Ireland Executive

Welsh Assembly

Libraries of both Houses

Media (selected broadcast, print and specialist media)

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A limited number of copies were also made available to the regular and reserve forces. However, the primary means of consultation for both the internal and external audience was through the MOD website, which carried a dedicated area for the consultation document.

Decommissioning

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the planned decommissioning dates are for (a) HMS Vanguard, (b) HMS Victorious, (c) HMS Vigilant and (d) HMS Vengeance; [154104]

(2) what the (a) maximum and (b) planned lifespans are for the UK Trident missile system; [154105]

(3) when he expects to make a decision on replacing the strategic nuclear deterrent with a new system; and what the latest date is by which this decision must be made. [154107]

Mr. Hoon [holding answer 20 February 2004]: I refer the hon. Member to paragraph 3.11 of the Defence White Paper published in December 2003 (CM 6041).

As with other key defence capabilities, we routinely undertake studies into the optimum operational life and value for money rather than specifying a fixed lifespan.

Helicopter-borne Forces

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what use the additional investment to reduce the response times of helicopter-borne forces to deal with renegade shipping has been put; and if he will make a statement. [154276]

Mr. Ingram: In accordance with the SDR New Chapter, a programme of enhancements to the Ministry of Defence's support for Maritime Counter Terrorism has been introduced. This will allow MOD to continue to provide support to the civil authorities in response to this threat. The programme includes enhancements to equipment and the training of additional aircraft crews and engineers.

HMS Roebuck

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the ability of HMS Roebuck to remain fully operational until its planned decommissioning in 2014. [154280]

Mr. Ingram: HMS Roebuck is planned to begin a ship life extension programme in September 2004. The programme will cover mechanical systems, hull structures, habitability, in-service support and the updating of her survey capability, including a new multibeam echo sounder. It will extend her life until around 2014.

Human Rights Violations

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the question from the hon. Member for East Carmarthen and Dinefwr of 2 December 2003, on human rights violations, reference 141740. [154478]

Mr. Ingram: I replied to the hon. Member on 6 February 2004, Official Report, column 1104W.

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Iraq

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effect of British cluster bombs on (i) Iraqi armed forces during the conflict and (ii) civilians since large-scale hostilities ceased; and if he will make a statement. [147326]

Mr. Ingram: We evaluate the performance and effects of all our equipment following the conclusion of every military operation involving UK Forces. The department's 'First Reflections' report included a brief summary and our initial assessment of the effect of cluster bombs during major combat operations in Iraq. Cluster bombs were used by UK forces against dispersed Iraqi military forces in the open or on the periphery of built up areas where they played an important role. Had cluster bombs not been used in this way more powerful and more destructive munitions would have been needed.

The UK takes seriously its obligations as a member of the coalition to provide a safe, secure and risk free environment for the Iraqi people. Since the end of major combat operations 675,000 munitions have been cleared in the UK area of responsibility. We do not record individual types of munitions cleared.

Jan Willem Matser

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received about the case of former NATO employee Jan Willem Matser convicted of forgery and fraud in the Netherlands; what discussions he has had with the NATO Secretary General on the implications of the case; and if he will make a statement. [154454]

Mr. Ingram: I have not received any official reports regarding this case, nor have I raised the matter with the NATO Secretary General.

Procurement

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to instruct the (a) Defence Procurement Agency and (b) Defence Logistics Organisation to make an annual report on their work, to include the total amount in bid costs refunded to contractors in respect of procurement competitions being (i) terminated and (ii) substantially altered. [153512]

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

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for replacement oilers for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. [146509]

Mr. Ingram: The Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme is intended to provide the Royal Navy with a significant element of its future afloat support requirements as the current capability provided by the RFA fleet is progressively withdrawn from service. This will include the

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replenishment at sea of bulk consumables such as fuel oil, lubricants, water, stores, ammunition, and food. MARS is currently reaching the end of its concept phase prior to the start of its Assessment Phase during which the project team will work with industry to establish how best to deliver this capability. As MARS comes into service, it will progressively replace those existing oilers due on current plans to be withdrawn from service over the next decade with the exception of the two new Wave Class Auxiliary Oilers which came into service in 2003.

Sea King Helicopters

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2004, Official Report, column 505W, to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler), on Sea King helicopters, whether the helicopters in the collision were equipped with accident data recorders. [154503]

Mr. Ingram: No. The only Royal Navy helicopters fitted with accident data recording equipment are some of the Merlin Fleet.

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2004, Official Report, column 505W, to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler), on Sea King helicopters, what assessment he has made of the need for fleet-wide night vision capability since the collision; [154505]

(2) what assessment he has made of whether senior officers are satisfied that there was no malfunction of equipment during the exercise; [154494]

(3) what (a) lights and (b) equipment were not permitted for use on this occasion that are permitted in normal night-time flying conditions; [154500]

(4) what experience the crews of the two helicopters had had of flying in these conditions in respect of (a) use of radar, (b) use of radio, (c) lighting, (d) restricted vision and (e) restricted flight path; [154493]

(5) whether the crews of each helicopter had radio communications with Mission Control on board HMS Ark Royal; [154497]

(6) what recommendations from the Board of Inquiry report have been acted upon by his Department; [154507]

(7) whether the crews of each helicopter had a radar surveillance and advice warning from Mission Control on board HMS Ark Royal; [154496]

(8) what assessment of rules and procedures for night flying senior commanders (a) had made before the mission and (b) have made since the mission; [154504]

(9) whether both Sea Kings had been permitted radio contact with (a) each other and (b) HMS Ark Royal throughout the exercise; [154495]

(10) what other helicopters were operating in the area; [154491]

(11) how many sorties each helicopter had completed before the accident; and whether they had reported difficulty with (a) flying conditions, (b) restricted vision, (c) restricted flight path and (d) malfunction of equipment. [154492]

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Mr. Ingram: I will write to the hon. Member with the information he has requested, and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2004, Official Report, column 505W, to the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler), on Sea King helicopters, when the Royal Navy Flight Safety and Accident Investigation Centre will publish its report on the accident. [154506]

Mr. Ingram: The accident investigation into the loss of the Sea King helicopters from HMS Ark Royal will take at least another six months. A copy of the resulting accident summary will be placed in the Library of the House.

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