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29 Jun 2005 : Column 1568W—continued
RAF Relocations
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost will be of the re-locations of other service units located at RAF Innsworth following the relocation of Personnel and Training Command to RAF High Wycombe; and if he will list the proposed locations of these units. [6709]
Mr. Ingram: An element of the Armed Forces Personnel Administrative Agency (AFPAA) is located at RAF Innsworth. AFPAA are carrying out a separate investment appraisal into the options for their relocation from Innsworth. The results of this will not be known before the end of the year.
Regimental Uniforms
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 24 May 2005, Official Report, column 56W, on regimental uniforms, what the life expectancy is of each uniform; what the initial outfit allowance is for the (a) English, (b) Welsh and (c) Scottish Infantry regiments; when the last increase in initial outfit allowance was made; and what the previous allowance was. [3254]
Mr. Touhig: An Officers' Outfit Allowance is awarded on commissioning to allow officers to purchase their first uniform. Officers joining the majority of English and Welsh infantry regiments receive the standard allowance of £2,122.
For those joining certain regiments the allowance is adjusted in line with the type, and therefore cost, of their uniform, which varies across the Infantry. Those English, Welsh and Scottish infantry regiments where the Officers' Outfit Allowance differs from the standard rate are the Foot Guards (£2,774), the Lowland Regiments (£2,057), the Highland Regiments (£2,510), the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Parachute Regiment (both £2,032).
The Officers' Outfit Allowance was raised to its current level in 1994. Before this all newly commissioned officers into the infantry regiments received an allowance of £1,945 with the exception of those joining the Foot Guards (£2,706), the Lowland Regiments (£1,930) and the Highland Regiments (£2,330).
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Officers' uniforms do not have a specific life expectancy as such. All uniforms are chosen on the basis that they are hard wearing and suitable for the tasks demanded of them. Officers are expected to keep their uniform in good order and maintain and replace accordingly. To do this an annual tax credit is awarded, based on the initial Outfit Allowance. This allows officers to purchase a new Service uniform approximately every five years.
Trafalgar Class Vessels
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 18W, on Trafalgar Class Vessels, what the theoretical safety concern and safety justification involved were; and if he will make a statement. [6035]
Mr. Ingram: It is an essential, mandatory and routine requirement to operate a Royal Navy nuclear submarine, that a safety justification is maintained which demonstrates it is safe to do so. This requires any issues potentially affecting the safe operation of the submarine, including theoretical ones, to be considered.
The theoretical safety concern on HMS Torbay and HMS Tireless centred on the potential effect of a number of small manufacturing imperfections in their nuclear reactor plant. A previous analysis had indicated that these imperfections were acceptable but a more modern analysis, using the latest information on material properties and component stress values, showed an increased theoretical risk of failure in some of these components. While there was no new defect, as part of the Royal Navy's commitment to safety, the decision was taken that the two submarines should not be operated further until the technical aspects had been fully examined and their continued safe operation could be justified. For HMS Torbay a safety justification is now in place to allow the operation of her nuclear reactor plant. The safety justification work required for HMS Tireless will be undertaken during her programmed maintenance and upgrade period, which is under way at Devonport.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Airbus A350
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the requests he has received regarding launch investment for the development of the Airbus A350; what assessment he has made of the implications of this project for the UK economy; and if he will make a statement. [7297]
Ian Pearson: Airbus UK has formally submitted an application for launch investment, the terms of which are strictly confidential. It would not be appropriate to make a statement at this stage.
Broadband (East Sussex)
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding broadband access in East Sussex; and if he will make a statement. [7855]
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Alun Michael: I am not aware of any recent correspondence relating specifically to East Sussex, though there is considerable correspondence about broadband. Great progress has been made in terms of broadband across the country, by the end of this summer over 99 per cent. of the population will have access. Activity to address the remaining gaps in coverage is taking place regionally.
I am pleased to say that access in East Sussex is extensive. All telephone exchanges except one are enabled for broadband and that one (Isfield) has a commercial wireless service which was installed about a month ago.
MG Rover
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish (a) the written recordings of conversations and (b) correspondence between (i) Ministers and (ii) officials from his Department and senior members of MG Rover's management that took place in the week commencing Monday 4 April. [5867]
Ian Pearson: It would be inappropriate to release this information at this time as it would breach commercial confidentiality and may prejudice the position of the administrators.
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether (a) he and (b) officials in his Department are in continuing discussions with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. [5872]
Ian Pearson: Since SAIC made it clear they were not interested in pursuing a deal in the week following MG Rover's entry into administration, there has been no contact with SAIC by the Secretary of State or DTI officials as regards MG Rover.
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is in continuing discussions with the former senior managers of MG Rover. [5873]
Ian Pearson: There has been no ongoing contact between the Secretary of State and the former directors of Phoenix Venture Holdings since MG Rover's entry into administration.
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the collapse of MG Rover on Rover dealerships; and if he will make a statement. [5874]
Ian Pearson: The collapse of MG Rover has had a devastating effect on MG Rover retailers. In response to this a sub-Group of the MG rover task force was set up. The sub-Group is chaired by Digby Jones, director general of the CBI and its membership is drawn from senior industry figures, the key trade associations, and Government officials. The sub-Group's role is to consider the impact of recent events on franchised dealerships and other retailers and service providers in the retail automotive sector. Progress to date includes:
Advantage West Midlands have agreed to extend access to the Advantage Transition Bridge Fund' to franchised dealers. Loans of £50,000 to £500,000 will be available to those facing financial difficulty and having a viable recovery plan but insufficient finance from normal sources to implement it;
HM Revenue and Customs are now applying the same approach to retailers as to suppliers as regards 'time to pay agreements' on VAT and PAYE, including to address the impact of VAT payable on bad debt. This includes pro-active calls to vulnerable retailers to discuss possible assistance;
The Learning and Skills Council are ensuring that apprentices released by MGR retailers will be found alternative placements and funding;
Job Centre Plus has agreed that those made redundant from retailers will be provided with their enhanced rapid response service, as being provided to MGR employees and those of suppliers; and
Business Link has confirmed that they stand ready to provide business planning and other advice to the retail sector via their regional network
The sub-Group continues to meet to monitor the situation and make recommendations to the Secretary of State on appropriate action to address the particular circumstances of the retail sector.
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the findings of the Financial Reporting Council concerning MG Rover; and if he will make a statement. [5875]
Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 412W.
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