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24 Jan 2006 : Column 1980W—continued
EU Satellite System
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations the Government have received from the US Administration about the EU Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) satellite system; what assessment he has made of the implications of the system for the development of the European Security and Defence Policy; what use he expects British armed forces to make of GMES; and if he will make a statement. [30239]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
The EU Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) satellite system was designed as a civilian system and the EU has agreed it should be used for civilian purposes. It will be under civilian control but, like other civilian technology, the EU may draw on the information it provides for European Security and Defence Policy crisis management operations. The Ministry of Defence may similarly wish to make use of GMES information. The UK would oppose the system being under military control or being tasked to serve the military directly. The Government have not received any representations from the US regarding GMES.
First Sea Lord
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the contribution to the Royal Navy of Sir Alan West as First Sea Lord. [44034]
John Reid: Admiral Sir Alan West, who retires in February, has overseen an important stage in the transformation of the Royal Navy. This includes the introduction of new ships and aircraft and important changes to the personnel and organisational structures of the Royal Navy, delivering a flexible and versatile force for good with an increased level of capability.
Admiral West has worked to raise the profile of the Royal Navy, and in particular has drawn attention to the relevance and importance of the service to national life through the medium of the successful Nelson commemorations. By doing so he will leave an important legacy from his time as First Sea Lord.
Gibraltar
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ships visited (a) Gibraltar and (b) Spain in the last 12 months. [44148]
Mr. Ingram: During the 2005 calendar year, there were a total of 45 Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship visits to Gibraltar and 28 visits to Spanish ports. Of the 28 visits to Spanish ports, 10 were undertaken by vessels allocated to NATO Standing Naval Forces and therefore programmed directly by NATO.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF aircraft landed at RAF Gibraltar in the last 12 months, broken down by type. [44533]
Mr. Ingram:
The information requested is shown as follows:
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| Number | |
|---|---|
| Hercules C130 | 67 |
| Hawk | 6 |
| Falcon | 7 |
| Chinook | 5 |
| Nimrod | 2 |
| HS125 | 5 |
| Canberra | 2 |
| C441 | 1 |
| Hawk | 6 |
| Jaguar | 7 |
| Puma | 2 |
| C17 | 2 |
| Tornado | 9 |
| Tucano | 1 |
Hawker Hunter Aircraft Sites
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions were placed on the use of the Hawker Hunter aircraft sites by Phillips in November 2000 on behalf of his Department; and who acquired them. [40226]
Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence's conditions of sale made clear that it is the responsibility of the purchaser to obtain a certificate of airworthiness if the intention was to fly the aircraft and to apply for an export licence if it was to be transferred outside the United Kingdom.
At the auction held on 29 November 2000 by Phillips Auctioneers, the Disposal Services Agency's records show that three ex-Royal Navy Hawker Hunter aircraft and one ex-Royal Air Force Hawker Hunter aircraft were sold to a private individual and two ex-Royal Air Force Hawker Hunter aircraft were sold to the company, 'Towerdrive'. The individual cannot be named for Data Protection Act reasons.
Iraq
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investigations he has conducted into involvement of UK force personnel in the death of (a) Hanan Schmailawi, (b) Muhammad Salim, (c) policeman Raid al Musawi, (d) Hazim al-Skeini and (e) Waleed Muzban in Iraq in 2003; and if he will make a statement. [42943]
Mr. Ingram: All cases were investigated by the chain of command in theatre and in each case it was concluded that all actions taken had been within the rules of engagement. Subsequently the cases were subjected to review by the Special Investigation Branch (SIB). As a result, a full SIB investigation was carried out in 2004 into the case of Waleed Muzban and a report was passed to the Army Prosecuting Authority (APA). The APA considered the evidence, and, in September 2005, directed that the case be discontinued.
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of the total number of weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq since March 2003; and how many of these were classified as (a) nuclear, (b) chemical and (c) biological. [44460]
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Mr. Ingram: The United Kingdom Government have accepted the conclusions of the Iraq Survey Group's search for Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq, published in Charles Duelfer's Comprehensive Report of the Special Advisor to the DCI of September 2004 and finalised in March 2005. The report is available to the public on the CIA website. This report provided the most authoritative assessment on Iraq WMD and concluded that no WMD of military significance were found.
However, as this report predicted, numbers of degraded pre-1991 chemical weapons continue to be found in Iraq and these are being safely disposed of.
Operation Enduring Freedom
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussion he has had with his US counterpart on future UK support to Operation Enduring Freedom. [42994]
John Reid: I have regular discussions with Secretary Rumsfeld regarding operational issues, including Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
QinetiQ
Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to ensure that QinetiQ will maintain its current number of employees and presence in Scotland after privatisation. [44955]
John Reid [holding answer 23 January 2006]: This is an operational matter for the company; questions should be referred to the chief executive at the following address:
Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether QinetiQ will be able to accept contracts from foreign Governments after flotation. [43826]
John Reid: Yes. The flotation itself will not make a difference to QinetiQ's ability to compete for foreign contracts, whether with Governments or industry. The Ministry of Defence will retain the right to veto QinetiQ from entering into a contract that would cause an unacceptable conflict of interest. QinetiQ is also subject to the same security and export controls as any other company.
Mr. Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions the Government have had with Credit Suisse regarding the availability and allocation of shares in the flotation of QinetiQ. [43827]
John Reid:
Advice on availability and allocation of shares was provided to the Government, Carlyle and QinetiQ, by our joint financial advisers, under contractually committed
24 Jan 2006 : Column 1983W
confidentiality agreements. Credit Suisse is one of those financial advisers, and as such representatives from the bank will have taken part in discussions on the subject.
Territorial Army
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the capacity for Territorial Army commissions at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst was in each year since 2001; and how many places were unfilled. [43679]
Mr. Touhig: The capacity and unfilled places for Territorial Army commissions at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in each calendar year since 2001 were as follows:
| Year(9) | Capacity | Unfilled(10) |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 360 | 143 |
| 2002 | 330 | 107 |
| 2003 | 180 | 0 |
| 2004 | 270 | 89 |
| 2005 | 270 | 165 |
(9) Calendar year
(10) Unallocated places
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