---

4 Oct 2004 : Column 1888W—continued

Saudi Armed Forces Project Office

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost was of the Saudi Armed Forces Project Office which was recharged to the Saudi Government in each financial year from 1997–98 to 2003–04. [188598]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 16 September 2004]: The Saudi Government covers the costs of the participation of the Saudi Armed Forces Project Office in the Al Yamamah programme.

The total cost of the Project Office for each financial year from 1997–98 was:

	£ million
1997–98	26.4
1998–99	23.6
1999–2000	25.0
2000–01	27.0
2001–02	24.7
2002–03	32.8
2003–04	29.4

Submarines

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a decision has been taken to retrofit the Vanguard Class Ballistic Missile Submarines with a Combat Management System based upon Microsoft Windows 2000; and if he will make a statement. [188102]

Mr. Ingram: No decision has been made on whether to modify the Combat Management System onboard Vanguard Class Submarines, to enable the system to operate on Microsoft's Windows 2000 software. However, an independent review concluded that Windows 2000 operating software, when used in conjunction with the original application software, is both safe and secure. As a result, some Trafalgar Class submarines are being modified to incorporate Windows 2000 into the Tactical Command System, which is used in the launch process for Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles.

Sudan

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom armed forces personnel he plans to commit in the event of United
 
4 Oct 2004 : Column 1889W
 
Nations intervention in Sudan; what estimate he has made of the likely cost of such a mission; and if he will make a statement. [188066]

Mr. Ingram: We currently plan to commit three United Kingdom staff officers to the proposed UN Mission in Sudan following a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the southern-based Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army. This Mission will deploy once the final agreements have been signed by the parties. One officer is currently deployed within the UN Advanced Mission. The UK Assessed Contribution to UN Peacekeeping is 7.43 per cent. in addition to any costs associated with the deployment of UK personnel, which we will meet. We would expect that the UK contribution would be in the region of £20 million, should the Mission deploy as currently envisaged.

In the Darfur region of Sudan, a separate African Union mission is operating. No UK military personnel are currently committed to it. The AU mission is still evolving and any request for UK military support will be considered. We are currently not aware of any UN plans for involvement in this region.

Super Garrisons

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the establishment of super garrisons. [187991]

Mr. Ingram: We intend to enhance operational capability and value for money in a number of ways, including through our strategy for the Defence Estate. This envisages concentrating units into fewer, larger sites. In the case of the Army, such sites have been referred to informally as "super garrisons". No decisions, however, have yet been taken on their establishment or possible location.

Territorial Army (Iraq)

Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding is being provided to Territorial Army personnel returning from service in Iraq. [186497]

Mr. Caplin: Such personnel are given paid leave up to a maximum of 40 days, depending on the length of their deployment. The final day of this period of leave is considered to be the last day of mobilised service. In addition, and depending on personal circumstances, TA personnel may continue to receive the Reserve Standard Award (RSA) and the Reserve Hardship Award (RHA) until their last day of mobilised service.

For those self-employed TA personnel returning from Iraq, are-training grant under the Employers Financial Assistance Scheme is also available.

Terrorism (Russia)

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communications his Department has had with the Russian Government over security strategies to deal with terrorist threats. [189147]

 
4 Oct 2004 : Column 1890W
 

Mr. Hoon: The Ministry of Defence and Russian Federation conduct a bilateral Defence Relations Activity Programme designed to develop confidence, promote understanding and discuss security interests. In the last 18 months, the following principal activities have included exchanges related to security strategies to deal with terrorist threats:

Visit by the Russian Defence Minister in July 2004.

Visit by a party of senior Russian officers to the UK, in January 2004, for seminars and discussions under the auspices of the International Institute of Strategic Studies.

Defence Staff Talks were reinstated in December 2003, following a five year gap. The MOD's Policy Director hosted the Russian MOD delegation in London.

Chief of the General Staff visited Moscow, St. Petersburg and the North Caucasus Military District, in June 2003.

In March 2003, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff had discussions with his counterpart, in Moscow.

The NATO-Russia Council is another forum where these issues are discussed.

Troop Deployment

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops are in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan. [188488]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 15 September 2004]: As at 9 September 2004, there are about 8,000 British troops in Iraq and about 640 in Afghanistan.

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which battalions of the Army are committed to Northern Ireland; where they are based; and what the average length of duty in Northern Ireland is of each battalion. [187420]

Mr. Ingram: The following resident infantry battalions are currently based in Northern Ireland on accompanied tours of roughly two years:

2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Holywood

2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, Ballykelly

1st Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers, Omagh

2nd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, Ballykinler

The following infantry battalions are currently committed to Northern Ireland on a six month unaccompanied tour of duty:

1st Battalion The King's Own Royal Border Regiment, Dungannon

1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, Bessbrook

In addition there are three home service battalions of The Royal Irish Regiment whose headquarters are at Holywood, Portadown and Omagh respectively.

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops were deployed in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997. [187421]

Mr. Ingram: The number of armed forces personnel (Army, Navy and RAF), under the command of the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland (GOC NI), stationed in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997 are set out in the following table.
 
4 Oct 2004 : Column 1891W
 

As at 31 July	Number of armed forces personnel
1997	16,566
1998	16,107
1999	14,778
2000	13,812
2001	13,763
2002	13,669
2003	13,571
2004	11,450

The GOC NI also has under his command troops that are rear based in Great Britain that can be called forward to the Province as and when required. In addition other troops can be made available to the GOC NI from Land Command if required for example during the marching season.

---