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International Terrorism

23. James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action the Ministry is taking with (a) EU and (b) NATO allies to combat the threat of international terrorism. [199377]

Mr. Hoon: The Government are involved in a large number of counter terrorism initiatives with our EU and NATO partners, across the spectrum of civilian and military activity. The majority of these fall in areas which lie beyond the responsibilities of the Ministry of Defence. The issue is regularly discussed at all levels including in my own meetings with EU and NATO counterparts.

There is a significant role for armed forces in helping to tackle the underlying causes of terrorism through stabilisation and peace keeping operations. Both NATO and the EU are making a vital contribution to international peace and security through operations in countries where terrorism might flourish.

Battalion Regiments

Ann Winterton : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the single battalion regiments that are to be merged into two, three or more battalion regiments will retain their (a) old regiment names in some form, (b) individual uniforms, (c) traditions and (d) recruiting areas when downgraded into a battalion under the new regimental structure. [200014]

Mr. Ingram: The Army is currently working on the detail of the future infantry structure and an announcement will be made before the Christmas Recess. Where possible, the history, traditions, and names of famous regiments will be incorporated into the new structure, and the linkages with traditional recruiting areas maintained.

British Defence Exports

Mr. Simon : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to promote British defence exports on the international market. [199369]

Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence provides a high standard of support to legitimate defence exports. The Defence Ministerial team plays a full part in this work. Last year we helped United Kingdom defence industry to win orders worth nearly £5 billion, including the sale of Hawk to India worth £800 million.

Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who appoints the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe. [200020]

Mr. Hoon: NATO Allies have agreed that the post of Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe will be permanently filled by a United Kingdom incumbent. The appointment of the incumbent to the post is
 
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approved by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, and Her Majesty The Queen.

Electoral Registration

Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel were registered as entitled to vote (a) in 2001 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available. [199533]

Mr. Caplin: Information is no longer held on the number of Service personnel registered to vote.

Ministerial Speech

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of his recent speech at the University of Nottingham. [199664]

Mr. Hoon: I did not use a prepared text for my discussion with students at the University of Nottingham on 12 November 2004.

Naval Shipbuilding

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry regarding the maintenance of a strategic capacity for naval shipbuilding in the UK. [199364]

Mr. Hoon: Building on the solid base established by the Defence Industrial Policy we remain fully committed to maintaining a strategic capacity and capability for naval shipbuilding and ship repair in the United Kingdom. MOD and DTI officials and senior representatives from the shipbuilding industry have regular, positive and constructive meetings to discuss the current and future programme.

VJ Day Anniversary

Mr. Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he and his ministerial colleagues have had with (a) the armed forces and (b) veterans on arrangements for commemorations of the 60th anniversary of VJ Day. [199373]

Mr. Caplin: I announced on 27 September that there will be Government-supported ceremonies at the Cenotaph on Sunday 8 May to mark the 60th anniversary of VE Day and on Sunday 21 August to mark VJ Day. Both the Burma Star Association and the Royal British Legion have welcomed our support for these ceremonies, which are, of course, in addition to the events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War on 10 July next year which I announced the House on 1 March 2004.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Claims Direct

Mr. Robathan: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will publish correspondence sent by Mr. Peter Ross to the Lord Chancellor's Department in January 2000, relating to Claims Direct. [199748]

 
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Mr. Lammy: Mr. Ross did write to the Lord Chancellor's Department in January 2000 about Claims Direct, however we regret that in spite of extensive searches of our departmental records we cannot locate the actual correspondence requested.

Mr. Robathan: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what meetings were held between 1997 and 2003 between representatives of Claims Direct and (a) the Lord Chancellor's Department and (b) the Department for Constitutional Affairs; and what was discussed at each such meeting. [199747]

Mr. Lammy: The information available from our records is that officials attended meetings with representatives of Claims Direct on three occasions between 1999 and 2000 to discuss the implementation of the Access to Justice Act 1999 in respect of conditional fees and after the event insurance. Officials met with representatives of Claims Direct on one occasion in 2002 to discuss a number of matters relating to the operation of the personal injury market.

Independent Appellate Authority Hearing

Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the Independent Appellate Authority will set a date for a hearing for Flordeliza Moody, the wife of a constituent of the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey. [199528]

Mr. Lammy: The appeal papers for Ms Flordeliza Moody, a national of the Philippines, are currently with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) of the Home Office. Officials from IND have confirmed that the appeal bundle will be forwarded to the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) by Monday 29 November 2004. The IAA will list the appeal for a full hearing and the confirmation of this hearing date will be promulgated to the appellant and her UK representative.

Ministerial Meetings

Mr. Robathan: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what meetings were held by Ministers in (a) the Department and (b) its predecessor Department with (i) Mr. Colin Poole and (ii) Mr. Tony Sullman, directors of Claims Direct, to discuss the work of Claims Direct. [199754]

Mr. Lammy: None.

Parliamentary Questions

Mr. Evans: To ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs for how many written questions tabled in the last parliamentary session his Department had been unable to provide a substantive answer before the end of the session. [199656]

Mr. Leslie: None.
 
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TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Gas Disconnections

Mr. Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the protection afforded to vulnerable consumers at risk of disconnection by their suppliers under provisions for entry under a Justice's Warrant in the Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954, as amended by the Gas Act 1995 and the Utilities Act 2000; and if she will make a statement. [199585]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954, as amended, includes extensive warrants procedures that a supplier must follow if it wishes to enter premises to disconnect any customer. These procedures are under the jurisdiction of the courts. In addition, the arrangements set out in the Energy Retail Association's September 2004 report, "Protecting Vulnerable Customers from Disconnection", which have been put in place by the gas and electricity suppliers, should ensure that, as far as possible, vulnerable customers are not disconnected.

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