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8 Feb 2006 : Column 1238W—continued
Shorts/Bombardier
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means the Government have been monitoring how grant aid allocated from public expenditure to Shorts/Bombardier in the last five years has been spent by the company. [49147]
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Angela E. Smith: In my answer to a previous question by the hon. Gentleman on 28 January 2006, Official Report, column 2332W, I listed the financial assistance which had been allocated to Bombardier by Invest NI and its predecessor organisations in financial years 2000–01 to 2004–05.
In accordance with Invest Northern Ireland's principles of intervention, performance criteria were determined as part of the appraisal and approval process and these are incorporated into financial assistance agreements between Invest Northern Ireland and the company. The criteria are monitored on a regular basis and payments are made following the fulfilment by the client of its obligations, or where appropriate having vouched eligible expenditure incurred, under the terms of the financial assistance agreements.
Vaccination
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the merits of making the influenza vaccine available to encephalomyelitis ME sufferers in the Province. [49384]
Mr. Woodward: Immunisation policy in the UK is determined on advice received from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which advises all UK Health Departments. Overall immunisation policy is constantly reviewed by JCVI and influenza immunisation is currently not recommended for ME patients.
DEFENCE
Accommodation (Armed Forces Personnel)
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many homes are provided by his Department to (a) former and (b) current members of the armed forces and their families; and if he will make a statement; [49143]
(2) what percentage of the total stock of housing provided by his Department is allocated to (a) former and (b) current members of the armed forces and their families; and if he will make a statement. [49144]
Mr. Touhig: This information is not held centrally in the form requested. I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Aircraft Carriers
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to identify target in-service dates for each of the future aircraft carriers. [48823]
Mr. Ingram:
As for all projects, the in-service dates (ISDs) for the future aircraft carriers will only be set following the main investment decision and once they have been approved by Ministers. This decision has not
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yet been taken, and will only be taken when we know with confidence the risks, the costs and the associated contractual framework involved in building the carriers.
Defence Activity (West Midlands)
Mr. Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial support he will provide for defence activity in the West Midlands in each of the next five years. [40486]
Mr. Touhig: Defence is a national capability and is funded functionally rather than geographically. Consequently the answer to this question could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Defence Vetting Agency
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average time was for an application to be processed by the Defence Vetting Agency for (a) a security check and (b) developed vetting on individuals in each country in the UK in the last year for which figures are available. [49745]
Mr. Ingram: The DVA's computerised vetting records are not held in a format that enables the vetting statistics to be broken down by country. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The average times, for all initial and review cases undertaken in 2004–05 were:
Joint Casualty Treatment Ship
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 25 January 2006, Official Report, column 2127W to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox), on the Joint Casualty Treatment Ship, what the terms of reference are for the review; whether they include the possibility that RFA Argus will not be replaced; and when the review is expected to be completed. [48892]
Mr. Ingram: The review of the Joint Casualty Treatment Ship programme was established to look into the options for delivering maritime deployed medical capability; taking into account the existing capability provided by RFA Argus.
The review is expected to complete in April 2006.
Military Decorations
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the medals and decorations that were awarded by the United States administration to British military personnel of the rank of (a) Commodore, (b) Brigadier and (c) Air Commodore and above for operations in the Iraq war in 2003. [48212]
Mr. Straw: I have been asked to reply.
The United States administration made six awards in the Legion of Merit (Degree of Officer) to British military personnel of the rank of Commodore, Brigadier and Air Commodore and above for operations in the Iraq war in (January to March) 2003.
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Operation Enduring Freedom
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made for increased NATO/international security assistance force command integration with the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom; and if he will make a statement. [42992]
John Reid: The international security assistance force (ISAF)'s peace support mission will remain distinct from the counter-terrorism aspects of the Operation Enduring Freedom coalition's mission. NATO has, however, revised its operational plan for the ISAF to outline clear arrangements for creating greater synergy between the ISAF and the coalition. Clear command arrangements will co-ordinate, and where necessary, deconflict efforts between the two missions as agreed under the auspices of the operational plan.
QinetiQ
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the study commissioned from Accenture, referred to on page 24 of the QinetiQ prospectus. [47266]
John Reid: As the QinetiQ prospectus states, the Accenture study was privately commissioned by QinetiQ. Any queries relating to this are therefore a matter for the company; questions should be referred to the chief executive at the following address:
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much profit has been recorded since the formation of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, including that recorded by QinetiQ; and where these funds have been invested. [47271]
John Reid: In July 2001 the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) was split into its two successor organisations: QinetiQ and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). Profit figures (including dividend distribution) for DERA up to the split, as shown in the Agency's annual reports are given as follows:
(11) Includes £8.9 million deducted as an appropriation of a surplus arising on sale of operations.
(12) Loss for 2000–01 reflects the impact of a number of exceptional items including the costs of the split of the former DERA, losses for the termination of certain operations, and a write down in the value of certain other assets.
DERA profits after dividends were invested in the agency's operations. Profits recorded by QinetiQ are a matter for the company and recorded in its annual reports. Figures for the last three years, from 2001–02 to 2004–05, are, however, summarised in the QinetiQ Sale Prospectus, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House on 26 January 2006.
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