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4 Oct 2004 : Column 1873W—continued
Gurkha Service Personnel
Mr. Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received regarding the provision of (a) pensions and (b) other forms of support to Gurkha Service personnel who have served with HM forces; and if he will make a statement. [179190]
Mr. Caplin: I receive representations from members of both Houses and from interested individuals and organisations about a range of issues, including pensions and other forms of support to Gurkha Service personnel. These have included comparisons between British and Gurkha soldiers' pay and pensions; confusion about the benefits Gurkhas are entitled to; and comments about their treatment by successive British Governments.
Gurkha pay, allowances and pensions are regularly reviewed. In terms of welfare provision to Gurkhas following discharge from the Army, MOD makes a substantial annual grant to cover the administrative costs of the Gurkha Welfare Trust in support of the charity's work in Nepal.
HMS Vanguard
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the original date was for the re-commissioning of HMS Vanguard; what the current forecast is; what procedures have still to be completed; what the reasons are for the delay; what the (a) original cost estimate was and (b) what the current cost estimate is; and if he will make a statement. [189384]
Mr. Ingram: HMS Vanguard was originally due to return to the fleet in the third quarter of 2004. Her return to fleet is currently forecast for the second quarter of 2005. The main procedures still to be completed are working up of the nuclear reactor, preparations for and undertaking sea trials.
The underpinning reasons for the delay stem from the fact that this is the first time a Vanguard Class submarine has undergone a Long Overhaul Period or been refuelled. It is also the first fit of a new design reactor core and the first use of DML's new nuclear
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refitting and refuelling facility for Vanguard Class submarines. As is usual with major refits and Long Overhaul periods, there has also been an element of work that cannot be pre-planned in the regeneration of the equipment that has been dormant during the Long Overhaul Period (Refuelling).
The direct cost of the Long Overhaul Period (Refuelling) remains within the originally approved total of approximately £210 million (at outturn prices). However, the Department is currently negotiating with Devonport Management Ltd. on consequential costs as a result of the delay to HMS Vanguard leaving the dockyard. It is too early to say what the outcome of these negotiations will be.
Infantry Battalions
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the expected financial saving will be from the reduction of infantry battalions; and who will take the decision on which infantry battalions are to be disbanded. [188793]
Mr. Ingram: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced to the House on 21 July 2004, Official Report, columns 343–50, plans to transform the armed forces to ensure they are structured, equipped and trained to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. As part of this transformation the Army will restructure its infantry, taking into account the decision to cease arms plotting and the planned reduction in the number of infantry battalions as a result of the improving situation in Northern Ireland. The manpower freed up from the reductions in infantry battalions will be reinvested across the Army in a rebalancing exercise, to strengthen key enabling capabilities such as signals, logistics, engineers and intelligence and to fill gaps elsewhere in the infantry.
The Army is working on the details of the new structure and recommendations will be made to Ministers for approval before the end of this year.
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the interval was between overseas or Northern Ireland operational tours for each infantry battalion since 1 June 1997, and what the (a) nature and (b) date of each operational tour on which each infantry battalion was deployed. [187340]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 7 September 2004]: The details of operational tours and tour intervals for each infantry battalion since 1 June 1997 are not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost. I can, however, provide the details from 1 July 2001 to 1 July 2004 and these can be found in the following table.
Deployments have been defined as unaccompanied unit level operational tours.
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Note:
Intervals have been rounded where deployment began other than at the start or end of the month.
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