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17 Mar 2004 : Column 361W—continued
Departmental Estate
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) military bases, (b) Ministry of Defence sites and (c) docks under consideration for (i) run-down and (ii) closure. [161246]
Mr. Caplin: The Ministry of Defence keeps the size and location of its bases under constant review. In the estate strategy, "In Trust and On Trust" the Department set out its intention to define its mainland Great Britain sites as 'core' or 'non-core'. Initial classification work was conducted last year. Building on this the Department is now undertaking further work to
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identify where estate rationalisation may be possible. Any specific proposals arising from these studies will be subjected to full consultation in due course.
Departmental Minutes
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, prior to putting in place the planned increase in public insurance liability to cover the submarine reactor fuel core factory and associated Neptune test reactor as proposed in the departmental minute of 11 March 2004, he will place in the Library a copy of full risk appraisal referred to in the minute. [161971]
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Mr. Ingram: As this appraisal relates to sensitive nuclear materials and industrial processes, I am withholding it in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (which relates to defence, security and international relations).
Iraq
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 5 January 2004, Official Report, columns 29–30W, on Iraq if he will (a) give the date and (b) describe each of the events for which compensation was paid to Iraqi civilians for injuries caused by UK forces; and if he will make a statement. [157150]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 5 March 2004]: 22 individuals have received payment as a result of claims for compensation submitted since 1 May 2003 by Iraqi civilians claiming to have been injured by UK forces.
These claims resulted from the following events:
| Events | |
|---|---|
| 5 August 2003 | Injuries resulting from property search |
| 6 August 2003 | Injuries sustained in road traffic accident |
| 9 August 2003 | Gunshot wound |
| 14 August 2003 | Injuries sustained in road traffic accident |
| 22 August 2003 | Injuries sustained during arrest |
| 30 September 2003 | Injuries sustained in road traffic accident |
| 14 October 2003 | Gunshot wound |
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings ministers and officials in his Department have had with relatives of Iraqi civilians allegedly killed as a result of Coalition action. [158859]
Mr. Ingram: In Iraq, members of the UK armed forces and other MOD officials meet Iraqis to discuss a range of issues, and these can include the topic of civilian casualties. In the event of a claim issued by Iraqi civilians against UK forces, for example, Area Claims Officers will meet those who wish to issue the claim.
As these arrangements are in place in theatre, Ministers and MOD officials in the UK have not had cause to meet civilians specifically to discuss the issue of the alleged killing of their relatives by Coalition action.
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts have been awarded to UK firms for the reconstruction of Iraq; and how many of these are (a) Welsh firms and (b) firms with operations in Wales. [158894]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: In view of the large number of different organisations involved in letting reconstruction contracts in Iraq, it has become difficult to maintain a definitive picture of the total volume of contracts awarded, and the cumulative value of these contracts. In addition a number of British companies have been awarded contracts and sub-contracts for the reconstruction process in Iraq, but some have asked us not to publicise their success because of issues of commercial confidentiality. Those companies that have advised us of their success are not recorded by region, and so we are therefore unable to assess the success or
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otherwise of companies with operations in Wales. I will write to the hon. Member with further details about some of the Contracts that we know bout.
Merchant Navy
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future protection of the Merchant Navy. [161912]
Mr. Ingram: The Royal Navy works closely with other Government Departments on the need to protect shipping and employs a worldwide Maritime Trade Operations (MTO) policy, which enables it to offer a number of options to support merchant shipping. They range from provision of routine advice and guidance, through to Naval supervision of merchant vessels. Decisions about the timing and type of support offered are informed by the threat level in a region or area. The global threat to merchant shipping is kept under constant review, and if necessary, additional MTO measures can be implemented quickly. Decisions over future safeguards or levels of protection will always reflect the level of threat that is present.
New Bases
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) RAF bases are being considered for opening; and in what areas. [148460]
Mr. Caplin: There are no current plans to acquire land for new Service bases.
Parliamentary Questions
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to his Department since 1st January 2003, broken down by (a) ordinary written and (b) named day; what percentage in respect of (a) were answered within 10 working days and what percentage in respect of (b) were answered by the specified date. [157738]
Mr. Caplin: According to our records 4,195 ordinary written parliamentary questions and 819 named day parliamentary questions were tabled to Defence Ministers between 1 January 2003 and 26 February 2004.
Information on the number of days taken to answer is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Defence Ministers aim to answer named day questions on the day named and ordinary written questions within five sitting days.
Reservists
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what actions he has taken to promote the role of reservists arising from their contribution in Iraq; how many reservists have been recruited to the armed forces since the beginning of hostilities in that country; and if he will make a statement. [161348]
Mr. Caplin: The Government's aim is to continue to raise national awareness of the commitment and integration of reservists in the overall force, and to
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acknowledge the importance of the support we receive from employers, families and of course the reservists themselves.
We provide, through the Permanent Joint Headquarters Northwood, consideration and support to journalists that apply for access to reservists serving in Iraq. The provisions of the Editors Abroad Scheme assist this task.
Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers (SaBRE) campaign run by the MOD continues to encourage support for the Volunteer Reserve Forces amongst civilian employers. To highlight the profile of reservists, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State held a reception in autumn last year for major UK employers, to thank them for their support for reservists. Similar receptions were also held around the UK for key regional employers. In addition, two parties of journalists were sent to Iraq to specifically highlight the use of reservists with the employer audience at home. I met with a large number of Reservists during my recent visit to South East Iraq.
The number of volunteer reservists (VRs) who have been recruited since 1 March 2003 is not held centrally. Each Service records data separately and in different formats. The information available is given below:
- Royal Navy Reserve: 305
- Royal Marines Reserve: 180
- Royal Auxiliary Air Force: 295
No figures for the Territorial Army are currently available.
Rest and Recuperation
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel serving on operations abroad had their rest and recuperation period reduced as a result of military transport difficulties in each of the past 12 months; what efforts are being made to ensure service personnel receive their full rest and recuperation entitlement; and if he will make a statement. [161480]
Mr. Caplin: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Rest and recuperation periods for service personnel serving on operations abroad are not an entitlement, personnel are only released if the operational situation allows. Every effort is taken to ensure service personnel rest and recuperation periods are maximised within the allowances of the regulations and mitigating action is taken where possible if periods are excessively disrupted.
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