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24 Mar 2005 : Column 1023W—continued
Merchant Navy
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has taken to ensure that a sufficient merchant navy fleet within the UK to be drawn upon at times of conflict is maintained. [222216]
Mr. Ingram: The availability of suitable merchant shipping is collated on a regular basis from updated information provided by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the UK registered fleet. The MOD supports this work.
Nuclear Test Veterans
Mrs. Betty Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a health study has been carried out by the Government since 1975 on veterans of the British Nuclear Test Programme. [223379]
Mr. Caplin [holding answer 22 March 2005]: The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB)—as part of their continuing studies concerning nuclear test veterans—has carried out a health study into cancer incidence. The latest of their Reports—NRPB Report W-27 entitled Mortality and Cancer Incidence 1952–1998 in UK Participants in the UK Atmospheric Nuclear Weapons Tests and Experimental Programmes" (2003)—concluded that overall levels of mortality and cancer incidence in UK nuclear weapons test participants have continued to be similar to those in a matched control group, and overall mortality to be lower than expected from national rates.
Overseas Military Training
Mr. Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list countries to which members of the British armed forces were deployed to give military training and advice during the period 2001 to 2004. [221191]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 14 March 2005]: During the period 2001 to 2004, members of the British armed forces were deployed to give military training and advice to 92 countries. A complete list of countries is set out as follows.
Countries where members of the British armed forces were deployed to give military training and advice: period 2001–04:
Parachutists
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving soldiers in the parachute regiments come from abroad. [222275]
Mr. Caplin: The number of soldiers serving in the Parachute Regiment with a non-British nationality is shown in the following table:
| Battalions: The Parachute Regiment | Strength |
|---|---|
| 1st | 20 |
| 2nd | 25 |
| 3rd | 20 |
| Total | 70 |
Notes:
1. The figures quoted are as at 1 January 2005 and are for UK Regular Trained Army soldiers only and therefore exclude TA, Mobilised Reserves, Full-Time Reserve Service, Gurkhas and Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment.
2. The strength figures do not include soldiers in the Parachute Regiment that are serving outside the battalion, or personnel from other cap badges that are attached to the battalion.
3. In addition to the figures there are 15 Parachute Regiment soldiers serving outside the battalions whose nationality is not British.
4. We cannot be precise about the strength in each battalion as the means by which these data are collected does not allow for separate attribution. The split is derived from an estimate based on the strength by Unit Identity Number.
5. All figures have been rounded to the nearest five. Totals are rounded separately and therefore may not equal the sum of their parts.
RAF Job Losses (Scotland)
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the effects of job cuts at (a) RAF Lossiemouth and (b) RAF Kinloss announced by his Department on 10 March; and if he will make a statement. [222873]
24 Mar 2005 : Column 1026W
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 21 March 2005]: My written ministerial statement on 10 March outlined the proposed reductions in the number of Service and civilian posts as a result of the end-to-end review of logistics processes for military aircraft support.
For RAF Lossiemouth, this will mean a reduction in the number of Service posts by 700 and, subject to Trades Union consultation, a reduction in the number of civilian posts by 35.
For RAF Kinloss, this will mean a reduction in the number of Service posts by 180 and, subject to Trades Union consultation, a reduction in the number of civilian posts by 20.
I recognise that this may be disappointing news for the local community, but the proposed changes in working practices and force structure will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of logistic support within the RAF.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans have been put in place to minimise the impact of job losses at (a) RAF Kinloss and (b) RAF Lossiemouth announced by his Department on 10 March; and if he will make a statement. [222939]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 21 March 2005]: The impact on personnel of the reduction in the number of posts will be managed primarily through voluntary staff transfers, natural wastage and a voluntary release scheme. The Ministry of Defence will manage the reductions in the number of civilian posts in consultation with Trades Unions.
These reductions form part of the Service and civilian manpower reductions that were announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 21 July 2004.
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