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22 Nov 2005 : Column 1883W—continued
Diego Garcia
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the UK's military commitment is to Diego Garcia; what other overseas forces are stationed there; and if he will make a statement. [30346]
Mr. Ingram: The United Kingdom's military commitment to Diego Garcia, in the British Indian Ocean Territory, is to maintain and exercise UK sovereignty over the territory, including its territorial waters and airspace. In total, 41 UK military personnel are based there. United States forces are also stationed on the island.
Iraq
Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the status of British troops in Iraq following the approval of the Iraqi constitution. [29687]
Mr. Ingram:
The United Kingdom's armed forces continue to assist the Iraqi Government in providing security and building the capability and capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces so that they may take responsibility for their own security.
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UK forces remain in Iraq under the UN mandate set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1546. Following a written request by the Iraqi Government, on 8 November the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1637, which comes into effect on 31 December 2005. This extends the mandate of the Multi-National Force in Iraq (MNF-I), if required, until 31 December 2006. UNSCR 1637 includes the same guarantees as UNSCR 1546, including a commitment on the part of the UN Security Council to review these provisions no later 15 June 2006 and to terminate the mandate of the MNF-I if requested by the new Iraqi Government.
Literacy and Numeracy
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 98W on departmental staff literacy and numeracy, how many and what proportion of new recruits to the army in the last 12 months had (a) literacy and (b) numeracy skills at or below (i) entry level 3, (ii) entry level 2 and (iii) entry level 1. [27877]
Mr. Touhig: Consolidated literacy and numeracy initial assessment figures for recruits to the army in the period 1 November 2004 to 31 October 2005, are provided as follows.
(11) Numeracy figures are lower because numeracy assessments were not initially recorded at all locations.
Operation Maturin
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what commitment the UK made to Operation Maturin to help the earthquake victims in Pakistan and Kashmir; how many flights were made by the RAF; how many personnel were involved; what tonnage of (a) food and (b) other supplies were transported; and where. [29609]
Mr. Ingram: The United Kingdom commitment to Operation Maturin has been both bilateral with Pakistan and through NATO. Bilaterally, the RAF have deployed three CH-47 Chinooks, which have flown and combined total of more than 200 flying hours and delivered nearly 900 tonnes of aid to date, comprising food, tents and blankets, but also tools, plastic sheeting, corrugated iron and baby care equipment. The breakdown of tonnage by individual items is not available. Up to 16 November, they had also evacuated some 325 personnel, 32 of whom were casualties. The number of personnel involved in this deployment is 81 (77 deployed as part of the Support Helicopter Force and four medics).
A six-person Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Team (ORLT) deployed to Islamabad on 19 October to provide support to the UK operation. A two-man Mobile Air Operations Team deployed to Chaklala airbase, on the weekend of 29 and 30 October, where they carried out a successful reconnaissance of a Forward Operating Base to the north of Islamabad. Four logistic planners deployed to Islamabad on 26 October to assist the UN Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC), where they are assisting in the development of a UN relief plan, including making more effective use of available aircraft. The MOD has also provided 23,000 vegetarian and halal ration packs, while a four person Joint Media Operations Team is providing coverage of the UK response and assisting NATO where possible.
Four C-17 flights have provided strategic lift, including: the transportation of two civilian Puma helicopters to Pakistan on behalf of DfID and the International Committee of the Red Cross; the transportation of one CH-47 Chinook helicopter and its crew and equipment (two flights); and, on behalf of NATO, the transportation of a medical team of three accompanied by equipment and
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a Land Rover. Each flight required a crew often. A total of 57 passengers were transported. Details of the total tonnage carried on these flights is not available.
The United Kingdom has contributed to the NATO relief effort in a number of ways. Four RAF C130 Hercules with six crews, and supporting Specialist Deployed Operating Base elements from RAF Lyneham, have been made available to NATO. Three have been deployed to Incirlik, Turkey to deliver aid via the NATO airbridge. One remains in the UK at 48 hours notice to deploy. As of 14 November, they had carried out 30 flights, delivering 288 tonnes of aid (37 per cent. of the total moved by NATO), comprising tents, mattresses, stoves, blankets and medical items. The breakdown of tonnage by individual items is not available. The number of personnel involved in this deployment is currently 91 (84 in Incirlik, and seven in Baku, Azerbaijan).
A RAF Mobile Medical Team of four people (one GP, two Medical Technicians and one Environmental Health Technician) deployed to the region on 16 November. One RAF officer is in Islamabad as part of NATO's own Operational Liaison Reconnaissance Team (OLRT). A seven person UK Liaison party from the UK Joint Force Air Component HQ has joined the French-led Joint Force Air Component HQ and are deployed in France and Pakistan.
In addition to our standing NATO commitments, a sub-unit 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers, supported by personnel from 42 Commando Royal Marines, has been offered to NATO. If the offer of this capability is taken up it will comprise 86 personnel deploying to Pakistan.
Royal Navy
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy personnel are based in (a) Gibraltar and (b) the Falklands. [29166]
Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to Tri Service Publication 6, Global Location of UK Regular Forces (TSP 6). Data are provided for the Naval Service, which include the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines.
TSP 6 is published quarterly; the most recent publication shows the numbers of Service personnel at 1 July 2005.
Copies of TSP 6 are held in the House of Commons Library and also available on www.dasa.mod.uk.
Royal Ordnance Factory (Chorley)
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much land at Royal Ordnance factory (a) Chorley and (b) Heapey is owned by Royal Ordnance. [28012]
Mr. Ingram: BAE, now known as BAE Systems Land Systems, took over Royal Ordnance and their sites in 1987. Land holdings are a matter for the company.
Territorial Army
Ann Winterton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 26 October 2005, Official Report, column 380W, on military personnel, how many of the Territorial Army personnel who collected their bounty in 2004–05 were (a) first-year
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bounty, (b) second-year bounty, (c) third-year bounty and (d) over three years bounty; and how many voluntary leavers had not passed phase 1 and 2 of basic training. [29537]
Mr. Touhig: This information is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Veterans' Badges
Mr. Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans' badges have been allocated to ex-service personnel in Pudsey constituency. [19758]
Mr. Touhig: The scheme was launched in May 2004. There are no accurate records of geographical issue available prior to April 2005.
A total of 16 badges have been issued to ex-service personnel in the Pudsey constituency since April 2005.
On 13 November my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced that eligibility for the badge was being extended to those who served between the two world wars, and from the end of the second world war until the end of 1954.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans' badges have been allocated to ex-service personnel in West Lancashire constituency in the last five years. [27697]
Mr. Touhig: The scheme was launched in May 2004. There are no accurate records of geographical issue available before April 2005.
A total of 47 badges have been issued to ex-service personnel in the West Lancashire constituency since April 2005.
On 13 November my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced that eligibility for the badge was being extended to those who served between the two world wars, and from the end of the second world war until the end of 1954.
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