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15 Jun 2005 : Column 443W—continued
Departmental IT Projects
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list his Department's IT projects in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) amount spent and (b) purpose; and whether each project has over-run. [2341]
Mr. Ingram: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Union Representation
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many trade union learning representatives there are in his Department. [3307]
Mr. Touhig:
The Ministry of Defence does not hold details of the numbers of trade union learning representatives. These are appointed by their trade union from within the elected representative community and usually have other TU duties in addition to this particular role.
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Fairford Air Base
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the Royal Air Force to use Fairford air base jointly with the US Air Force after the runway is refurbished at RAF Brize Norton. [2638]
Mr. Ingram: We are currently in discussion with the US Air Force about the possibility of RAF units periodically using RAF Fairford for operational training exercises. No decisions have been made.
Far East Detainees (Compensation)
Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of requests for compensation from Far East detainees previously disqualified. [4609]
Mr. Touhig: The Ex Gratia Payment Scheme for Far East Prisoners of War and Civilian Internees is currently the subject of a judicial review in relation to a former civilian internee whose claim for payment was rejected. It is not appropriate at this stage to comment further.
Iraq
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by (a) the UK and (b) other allied countries in support of military and security action in Iraq since 2002–03. [3636]
Mr. Ingram: The net additional costs of operations in Iraq are published each year in the Ministry of Defence's annual report and accounts. Costs for financial year 2002–03 were £847 million and for 2003–04 £1,311 million. Costs for financial year 2004–05 will be published in the MOD's next annual report and accounts in the autumn.
Costs incurred by other allied countries are a matter for them.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many additional troops the UK intends to send to (a) Najaf and (b) Qadisiyah in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [3650]
Mr. Ingram: The United Kingdom does not have any troops deployed in Najaf or Al Qadisiyah. There are currently no plans to deploy UK forces to these areas or elsewhere outside the boundaries of Multi National Division (South East).
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects British troops to complete thepresent mission in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [4661]
Mr. Ingram:
The United Kingdom is committed to remaining in Iraq for as long as the Iraqi Government judge that the coalition is required to provide security and assist the Iraqi Security Forces. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1546, which provides the present legal basis for the coalition presence in Iraq, makes clear the mandate for multi-national forces will expire upon the completion of the current political process, and will be terminated earlier if requested by the Government of Iraq.
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MARS Programme
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current estimate for the (a) in-service date and (b) cost of Royal Navy tankers under the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability programme is; what the original estimates were; and if he will make a statement. [2975]
Mr. Ingram: The Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme is currently in the Concept Phase and no decisions have yet been made on the scope, timing or costs of the programme. These matters will be addressed during the Assessment Phase, which is planned to commence shortly.
Ministerial Expenses
Mr. Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to write to the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford concerning question 191401, of 18 November 2004, Official Report, column 1835W, on ministerial expenses. [1064]
Mr. Touhig: I replied to the hon. Member today, and placed a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
Regimental Uniforms
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 May 2005, Official Report, column 24W, on army boots, whether the figures given for jungle boots and desert boots are (a) the manufacturer's life-span specification and (b) the life-span obtained from combat conditions; and which manufacturer supplies the (i) jungle boot and (ii) desert boot. [3256]
Mr. Ingram: The figures given for the life span for both jungle and desert boots are estimated figures. In respect of individual items there may be a different life span for each boot procured, and this would be impacted upon to a large extent by their actual use.
The Prime Contractor for footwear is Iturri SA through the prime contract mentioned in my answer of 23 May 2005, Official Report, column 24W.
Religious Texts (Iraq/Afghanistan)
Mr. Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance he has issued to UK forces in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan on appropriate treatment of religious texts and other materials; and whether he has received reports of inappropriate behaviour in this respect. [3084]
Mr. Touhig: All United Kingdom armed forces personnel undergo cultural awareness training as part of their theatre specific pre-deployment training package. We have received no reports of inappropriate treatment of religious texts and other materials by UK forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Royal Navy
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planned out-of-service date is for the Royal Navy's repair ship, RFA Diligence; and what his plans for replacing the ship are. [3881]
15 Jun 2005 : Column 446W
Mr. Ingram: It is currently planned that RFA Diligence will remain in service until 2014. Decisions have yet to be taken on how best to deliver future Operational Maintenance and Repair capability.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the out-of-service date is for (a) HMS Superb and (b) HMS Trafalgar. [3816]
Mr. Ingram: Both boats are planned to be withdrawn from service in 2008.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which helicopter will operate from the four batch Type-22 frigates from 2008. [3880]
Mr. Ingram: Lynx helicopters will continue to operate from the four batch 3 Type-22 frigates until a replacement for the Lynx Mk3/8 is delivered under our future helicopter programme.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the out-of-service date for each of the remaining Type-42 destroyers. [3883]
Mr. Ingram: The latest planned withdrawal dates are as follows:
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the in-service date for each of the eight Type-45 destroyers. [3884]
Mr. Ingram: Six Type-45 destroyers are currently on order. The planned in-service date (ISD) for the First of Class, HMS Daring, is May 2009. The remaining five ships are planned to enter service at intervals over a four-year period following the First of Class ISD.
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