| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
9 Dec 2004 : Column 690W—continued
Merlin Helicopter
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on which (a) frigates and (b) type-45 destroyers it is proposed to deploy the Merlin helicopter. [201630]
Mr. Ingram:
The information requested is as follows:
9 Dec 2004 : Column 691W
HMS Argyll, Lancaster, Iron Duke, Monmouth, Montrose, Westminster, Northumberland, Richmond, Sutherland, Somerset, Portland, St.Albans and Kent either are, or will be modified to enable them to embark Merlin helicopters. All Type 45 destroyers will be capable of embarking Merlin.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to deploy the Merlin ASW helicopter on the CVF; and if he will make a statement. [201643]
Mr. Ingram: The Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) will be a versatile platform, and will operate a number of aircraft types in a variety of roles. Whilst it will be capable of operating the Merlin Mk1 helicopter, it is too early to say specifically what our plans will be for this aircraft's deployment on CVF.
Parachute Pay
Mr. Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) officers and (b) airmen in the Royal Air Force are in receipt of parachute pay. [201000]
Mr. Ingram: On 26 November 2004, there were approximately 20 officers and 90 airmen in the Royal Air Force in receipt of parachute pay.
Royal Navy Operations
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the merits of the policy of moving Royal Navy operations from open seas to a littoral environment; and if he will make a statement. [202790]
Mr. Ingram: The shift in emphasis in Royal Navy operations from the open seas towards the littoral was assessed by the Secretary of State for Defence in April this year when he endorsed the Future Navy paper, which set out the Navy Board's rolling strategic vision for the navy of the future. This has the concept of a versatile maritime force (VMF) at its core, and the paper describes, in conjunction with its sister paper the Future Maritime Operational Concept, how the VMF will play an increasingly effective role in meeting the core maritime roles, including influencing events ashore through maritime force projection using maritime strike and littoral manoeuvre. Flexible global reach, allowing achievement of early, rapid and sustainable effect, will also continue to be a core maritime role.
Sonar 2087
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which type-23 frigates will be fitted with Sonar 2087; and what the expected date of installation is in each case. [201636]
Mr. Ingram:
On current plans eight of the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates will be fitted with the 2087 sonar system. It has already been fitted to HMS Westminster and will be installed on the seven remaining vessels during their next available upkeep periods. The
9 Dec 2004 : Column 692W
currently planned start dates for these upkeep periods, which are subject to periodic review, are:
| Ship | Upkeep start date |
|---|---|
| HMS Northumberland | Under way |
| HMS Richmond | March 2005 |
| HMS Somerset | April 2006 |
| HMS St. Albans | May 2007 |
| HMS Sutherland | July 2007 |
| HMS Kent | January 2010 |
| HMS Portland | November 2010 |
Surface Combatant Maritime Rotacraft
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to ensure Royal Navy (a) frigates and (b) destroyers are equipped with embarked helicopters prior to the in-service date for the surface combatant maritime rotacraft; and if he will make a statement. [201631]
Mr. Ingram: The Royal Navy frigates and destroyers will continue to be equipped as necessary with Lynx Mk3/8 or Merlin Mk1 as embarked helicopters until a replacement for the Lynx Mk3/8 is delivered under our future helicopter programme.
Trident
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans his Department has for a replacement for the Trident missile system; and if he will make a statement; [203133]
(2) what research is being undertaken by his Department on possible replacements for the Trident submarine fleet; and if he will make a statement. [203134]
Mr. Hoon: I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 28 October 2004, Official Report, columns 1371–72W.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Government has for (a) renewing and (b) replacing the Trident weapons system; and if he will make a statement. [203812]
Mr. Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to paragraph 3.11 of the 2003 Defence White Paper (Cm 6041–1).
Type 45 Destroyers
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the planned eight type-45 destroyers will replace the eight remaining type-42s on a one-for-one basis; and whether any of the remaining type-42s will be decommissioned before its successor type-45 enters service. [201637]
Mr. Ingram:
The Secretary of State for Defence announced on 21 July 2004 that the oldest type 42 Destroyers, HMS Cardiff, HMS Newcastle and HMS Glasgow will be decommissioned by the end of 2005. While our future capability requirements are no longer dictated by the procurement of like for like platforms, the remaining type 42s are currently scheduled to be withdrawn from service from the type 45 First of Class in service date and then at intervals staged to match the in service date of incoming type-45 destroyers.
9 Dec 2004 : Column 693W
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expect the type-45–08 to become fully operational. [201639]
Mr. Ingram: In July 2004 the Secretary of State for Defence announced plans for class of eight Type 45 Destroyers, six of which are currently on contract. Formal approval, and a subsequent order, for ships seven and eight will be sought at the appropriate time. On current plans we would expect those ships to enter service during the middle of the next decade.
Typhoon
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department has made to the Greek Government regarding the export of Typhoon aircraft. [202989]
Mr. Ingram: The proposal to export Typhoon aircraft to Greece is being led by Germany and the United Kingdom is playing a full part in supporting it as a Typhoon partner nation. In recent years this has included meetings and correspondence at both senior official and ministerial level.
Uniforms
Mr. Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many uniforms were contracted to be delivered under the contract with Cooneen, Watts & Stone for the supply of camouflage uniforms; and how many have been delivered. [199537]
Mr. Ingram: The contract for Cut & Sewn Garments covers a wide range of items, many of which, including combat clothing, are not due to commence delivery until early 2005. The number of uniforms to be delivered under this contract will vary item by item, and the exact quantities will not be determined until the Department raises warrants to meet the armed forces' requirements during the five-year period of the contract.
Mr. Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what penalties are included in the contract with Cooneen, Watts & Stone for failure to deliver on time. [199538]
Mr. Ingram: Penalties are not enforceable under English Law. The prime contractor has the incentive to properly perform under this contract, as the full five-year duration is subject to continued satisfactory performance. The company is required to make alternative arrangements if there is a risk of delivery failure. However, should they still fail to deliver on time, remedies under the contract include the right to claim damages commensurate with any consequent loss suffered by the Department.
Mr. Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of camouflage uniforms his Department holds. [199539]
Mr. Ingram:
The Ministry of Defence currently holds sufficient stocks of camouflage clothing to meet current and anticipated requirements for at least the next six months.
9 Dec 2004 : Column 694W
In addition to items issued to individuals, the following stock was held as at 30 November 2004:
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |