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30 Jan 2006 : Column 38W—continued
Porton Down
Dr. Fox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects a funding agreement to be concluded
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between the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory and Defence Estates on remediation work at Porton Down. [44165]
Mr. Touhig: An informal agreement has already been reached between the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Defence Estates to allow work on the remediation of the Porton Down site, which commenced in early 2005.
It is anticipated that this agreement will be formalised with effect from 1 April 2006 and, subject to review as deemed necessary, remain extant until 31 March 2015.
Private Finance Initiative
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 16W, on private finance projects, what the (a) capital value, (b) annual revenue cost, (c) start date and (d) end date is of each private finance initiative and public private partnership project his Department is undertaking. [45305]
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Mr. Ingram [holding answer 24 January 2006]: The information is provided in the following table. However, you should note:
that the table contains an updated list of PPP projects including details of projects signed since the answer given on the 13 June 2005, Official Report, column 16W;
that the Contract End Date, as given in the following table, is generally based upon the date that the contract was entered into. However, for certain projects, the Contract End Date is calculated from the date that the service provided under the contract becomes fully operational";
that the annual revenue cost of projects is commercially sensitive information and cannot therefore be provided. However the MOD Annual Report and Accounts 2004–05 provides details of the total payments made for PFI projects for the last two years and includes future service payment commitments.
The information that you request cannot be given for projects that are either being considered or in procurement as the information has not yet been determined or is commercially sensitive.
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Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated (a) capital value, (b) annual revenue costs, (c) start date and (d) end date is of each (i) private finance initiative and (ii) public private partnership projects under consideration by his Department but not yet signed. [45372]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 24 January 2006]: HM Treasury defines public private partnerships as privately financed projects and other forms of joint ventures, but excludes prime contracts, partnering and other outsourcing deals.
The Ministry of Defence has a forward programme of 16 private finance initiative (PFI) projects that are either under consideration or in procurement. Of these, 10 projects have progressed to various stages in the procurement process as shown in the following list. Further information on the status of individual projects is available on the MOD's PFI website at http://www.mod.uk/business/ppp/pfi_database.htm. The estimated capital value, annual revenue cost, start date and end date of these projects has either not yet been determined or is commercially sensitive and is not therefore on the website at present. Further information will be added to the website as decisions are taken.
Psychological Trauma
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to ensure armed forces personnel receive assistance from medical professionals for issues relating to physiological trauma. [45660]
Mr. Touhig: Physiological trauma may arise as a result of any physical injury or illness, including environmental injury, and its treatment is an integral part of the medical care and support given to injured armed forces personnel by members of the Defence Medical Services.
When deployed on operations, United Kingdom forces are supported by a range of in-theatre medical facilities, staffed by fully-qualified military medical personnel. These are capable of providing immediate
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treatment in theatre, and are backed up by fast and efficient medevac procedures to return personnel to the UK for further treatment as necessary.
On return to the UK, injured personnel will be given the treatment they need, usually through one of the MOD's Ministry of Defence hospital units attached to NHS hospitals. When necessary, follow-up treatment is provided through specialist units such as the 15 regional rehabilitation units (RRUs) in the UK and Germany, and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) at Headley Court, which provides world-class medical care, rehabilitation, prosthetics and adaptations for service personnel. Where there are psychological consequences, further treatment is provided through one of 15 MOD Departments of community mental health located in the UK (plus other satellite centres overseas), or if necessary through in-patient care at Priory Group facilities, with whom there is close liaison.
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