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18 Jul 2005 : Column 1311W—continued

Commonwealth War Graves (Equatorial Guinea)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the upkeep of the Commonwealth war graves in Equatorial Guinea. [12194]

Mr. Touhig: There are 10 Commonwealth war graves in Equatorial Guinea, all in Malabo cemetery, which is situated on the island of Bioko off the coast of Cameroon. All are Commonwealth airmen from the second world war who are commemorated together in a row marked by Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) headstones.

These graves are visited periodically by CWGC staff from the United Kingdom. The last such visit was in 2003, when some maintenance was carried out with the assistance of the cemetery staff. The Commission has confirmed that the graves are well maintained for this part of the world. It is in the process of setting up an arrangement for more regular visits and reports from its honorary supervisor in the Cameroon.

Construction Projects

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to train armed forces personnel to carry out construction projects for the armed forces. [11892]

Mr. Touhig: The armed forces already employs and trains engineering specialists in order to enhance operational effectiveness. These specialists are primarily employed to provide engineering and construction support on deployed operations where the operational conditions would preclude the use of commercial operators. It is possible that these engineers may be employed on construction projects for the armed forces, for instance in the UK, but only when it is sensible and cost-effective to do so and the training experience accrued will directly benefit their role on operations. Otherwise, the skills and expertise of the commercial sector is employed, allowing the armed forces to concentrate on military tasks.

Corporate Branding (Costs)

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs were incurred by the (a) Medical Supplies Agency and (b) Warship Supply Agency in (i)corporate branding and (ii) external consultants used in set-up and continuing activities. [5890]

 
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Mr. Ingram: A detailed breakdown of costs incurred by the Warship Support Agency (WSA) both during set-up and through-life, on corporate branding and external consultants, specifically in support of its agency status, is not held separately and cannot therefore be provided. External consultants were used prior to Agency formation to help determine the structure and working methods of the WSA Strategic and Executive Boards. The cost of these activities is not available; however, it is likely to have been minimal.

A detailed breakdown of costs incurred by the Medical Supplies Agency (MSA) both during set-up and through-life, on corporate branding, specifically in support of its agency status, is not held separately and cannot therefore be provided. Figures relating to the establishment of the Agency (in 1996) on external consultants are no longer available, due to the requirement to only retain historical financial accounts for seven years. However, external consultant figures relating to the MSA change programme, from financial year 1997–98 are provided in the table.

	£000
1997–98	15
1998–99	16
1999–2000	17
2000–01	18
2001–02	147
2002–03	220
2003–04	358.5
2004–05	416.3

Payments during 2003–04 and 2004–05 were in respect of the medical supplies change programme, the benefit of which has been carried forward into the Medical Supplies Integrated Project Team.

Darfur

Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 14 June 2005, Official Report, columns 332–33W, on Darfur, whether (a) NATO and (b) the EU will be in overall command of support for the African Union in its mission in Darfur. [6037]

John Reid: The African Union is leading the operation and managing offers of assistance. NATO and the EU continue to work closely together to coordinate their military offers. Neither has any operational command and control role.
 
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Defence Export Services Organisation

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions between April 2004 and December 2004 British-based staff from the Defence Export Services Organisation met BAE Systems to discuss the selection of agents. [12029]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 14 July 2005]: We have found no record of any meeting in the United Kingdom between Defence Export Services Organisation officials and representatives of BAE Systems specifically concerned with the selection of agents. The subject will on occasion have been discussed, however, in the course of routine meetings covering a wider range of normal business.

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2005, Official Report, column, 259W, on the Defence Export Service Organisation (DESO), whether BAE Systems has requested information from DESO on the selection of agents. [12081]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 14 July 2005]: Instances of questions from companies, including BAE Systems, on the selection of agents are not centrally recorded. Such advice is given in the course of normal Defence Export Services Organisation business, both in the United Kingdom and overseas.

Defence Training Review

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stage has been reached by the Defence Training Review; and if he will make a statement. [12175]

Mr. Touhig: The Defence Training Review Programme issued Invitations to Negotiate to the short listed bidding Consortia in November 2004. The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the three bidders and stakeholders to ensure that industry develop training and estates proposals that are compliant, value for money, deliver betterment and preserve operational capability and military ethos. In parallel the MOD also continues to maintain a close dialogue with the trade unions updating them on progress. Bidders' proposals are due in October and November 2005. Evaluation of the proposals will follow immediately and conclude in spring 2006. The outcome will inform the decision on selection of a preferred bidder, which is due to be approved later in the summer in 2006.

Departmental Staff

David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many full-time equivalents have worked for the Department for each of the last five financial years for which figures are available. [11507]

Mr. Touhig: The number of full-time equivalents (FTE) that have worked for the Department is shown in the following table. The numbers reflect the total number of permanent and casual staff together with the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries, trading funds and locally engaged civilians.
 
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Civilian personnel numbers at 1 April each year Thousand: FTE

Civilians(4)	Total
2001(5)	118.2
2002	110.1
2003	107.6
2004	109.0
2005	108.5

⁽⁴⁾This table uses the revised definition of civilian personnel (see www.dasa.mod.uk for details).
⁽⁵⁾In 2001 the QinetiQ portion of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (approximately 8,000 FTE) was established as a private company.

Establishments (Muslims)

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total establishment is of (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Army and (c) the Royal Air Force; and how many Muslims are serving in each. [12975]

Mr. Touhig: The following table shows the strength of UK armed forces at 1 June 2005:

	Total strength	Muslim strength
(a) Naval service	39,780	20
(b) Army	108,300	220
(c) RAF	51,380	70

UK regular forces includes nursing services and excludes full-time reserve service personnel, Ghurkhas, the home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised reservists. They include both trained and untrained personnel.

All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 to prevent disclosure of sensitive personal data. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

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