| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
12 Sept 2005 : Column 2287W—continued
RAF Innsworth
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the terms were of the Compulsory Purchase Order made on the RAF Innsworth site when it was originally obtained; and if he will make a statement. [12116]
Mr. Ingram: The land which comprises RAF Innsworth was assembled following the outbreak of the Second World War by the acquisition of 11 separate freehold interests, either following agreement or by powers available at the time.
No specific Compulsory Purchase Order was made as most acquisitions at that time were initiated by requisition under the Defence (General) Regulations 1939 made under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939; under existing Defence Acts; or through other statutes in place at the time.
Eight conveyances of the land occurred between 1939 and 1945, two more in 1951, and the last in 1961. Each of these documents sets out the terms of the individual acquisitions and the consideration paid which, in some cases, included compensation for severance, depreciation and injurious affection to the vendors' adjoining estate.
As the land was acquired either by or under the threat of compulsion, should RAF Innsworth be released for sale, the Crichel Down Rules would be followed.
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the Environmental Impact Assessment carried out on the RAF Innsworth site following the decision to transfer its operations to High Wycombe; and if he will make a statement. [12138]
Mr. Ingram:
A statutory Environmental Impact Assessment is not required at RAF Innsworth, but an Environmental and Sustainability Appraisal has been completed. This document is currently being withheld because it relates to internal discussion and formulation of policy. However, it is our intention to publish this after the trade unions consultation period has ended and the final ministerial decision made.
12 Sept 2005 : Column 2288W
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the investment appraisal of the RAF Innsworth site following the decision to transfer its operations to High Wycombe; and if he will make a statement. [12139]
Mr. Ingram: The investment appraisal is being withheld at present because it relates to internal discussion and formulation of policy. However, it is our intention to publish this more widely after the trade unions consultation period has ended and the final ministerial decision made.
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the value of the land occupied by RAF Innsworth; what the value would be with planning permission for housing; and if he will make a statement. [12140]
Mr. Ingram: The assessment of the site's value included in the business case for the co- location of the RAF headquarters was £30 million, representing our agent's valuation as at August 2004 (and assuming planning permission for residential development for the whole site).
Royal Navy
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the operational strength is of the Royal Navy's (a) destroyers and (b) frigates. [14516]
Mr. Ingram: As at 20 July 2005, 23 of the Royal Navy's 27 destroyers and frigates were available for tasking by Cincfleet.
Scottish Defence Bases
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the operating cost of each defence base in Scotland was in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [6237]
Mr. Ingram: The information requested is shown in the schedule.
The schedule is in two sections: Section A provides the operating costs for financial years 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04 for defence sites in Scotland where the information you request is available; the operating costs relating to years 1997–98 to 2000–01 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Section B provides a list of the remaining sites in Scotland for which operating costs are not readily available and, similarly, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The operating costs shown in the schedule include non-cash transactions, principally depreciation and cost of capital charge, where appropriate and available.
(13)Excludes cost of capital charges, which are not attributed to individual bases.
(14)Excludes depreciation and cost of capital charges, which are not attributed to individual bases.
12 Sept 2005 : Column 2289W
Swan Hunter
Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what future naval shipbuilding work he has identified as being suitable for Swan Hunter shipyard to tender for; and what the timetable is for that work. [14157]
Mr. Ingram: As you are aware, we announced on 30 January 2003, Official Report, columns 1027–42, that Swan Hunter is one of the four shipyards identified that, subject to value for money considerations, could potentially participate in building the future carrier. The ship building strategy will be confirmed following the main investment decision, which will be taken when we are confident that we have sufficient understanding of the cost, scheduling and risks involved.
Type 45 Destroyers
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last discussed with senior naval officers the merits of fitting tactical Tomahawk missiles to Type 45 destroyers with senior naval officers; and if he will make a statement. [12663]
Mr. Touhig
[holding answer 20 July 2005]: Ministers routinely discuss equipment issues with senior military officers. Our position remains as stated in the answer
12 Sept 2005 : Column 2290W
which my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces gave the hon. Member on 7 June 2005, Official Report, column 466W.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |