House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 27 Feb 2006 (pt 8)

27 Feb 2006 : Column 24W—continued

National Servicemen

Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last national serviceman was (a) called-up, (b) de-mobbed and (c) killed in action. [51413]

Mr. Touhig: The last group of national servicemen was called up on 17 November 1960. This group was released during May 1963, apart from a few men whose release was deferred for various reasons. Information concerning the exact date on which the last national serviceman was released and the date on which the last national serviceman was killed in action is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Navigation Data

Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what technologies other than global positioning satellites are being considered for his Department's navigation data requirements. [54379]

Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence uses a mix of current technologies ranging from map and compass and stellar fixing through radar mapping, radio beacons, inertial navigation systems and terrain referencing systems. More advanced technologies are being researched which aim to refine established techniques, as well as developing new ideas.

27 Feb 2006 : Column 25W

Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether UK personnel are involved in the US Global Information Grid; and what measures his Department is taking to develop a similar capability for the UK. [54381]

Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence is not directly involved in the development or implementation of the US Global Information Grid (GIG). In such cases we keep abreast of policy and technical developments in order to ensure that we continue to be able to operate alongside US forces. Our own efforts are focused on the programmes which contribute to the UK Global Information Infrastructure such as the Defence Information Infrastructure, the FALCON communications system and the Skynet 5 satellite communications service.

Network Centricity

Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent consultations his Department has had with the United States concerning network centricity and interoperability. [54380]

Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has regular consultations with the United States over network centric warfare and interoperability. These consultations cover a wide range of activities including meetings to agree strategic direction, discussions on technical standards, individual equipment tests and trials and joint exercises. Of note is the recently released NATO Network Enabled Capability Framework, in which the United States Department of Defense and the UK MOD participated fully.

Olympic Games (Forces' Participation)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces he expects to compete in (a) the 2008 Olympic Games and (b) the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. [50415]

Mr. Touhig: While selection of the members of the Olympic teams for Beijing rests with the appropriate national governing body and has yet to take place, five members of the armed forces have realistic aspirations of competing in the 2008 Olympic Games. Eight members of the armed forces are participating in the current Winter Olympic Games.

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the UK armed forces competed in (a) the last three Olympic Games and (b) each of the last three Winter Olympic Games. [50416]

Mr. Touhig: The number of members of the United Kingdom Armed Forces personnel who competed in the last three Olympic Games are: 2004—three, 2000—three, 1996—three.

The number of members of the UK armed forces competing in the last three Winter Olympic Games are: 2002—12 (including one individual Bronze medal winner), 1998—seven (of whom three were team Bronze medal winners), 1994—10.

27 Feb 2006 : Column 26W

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance is given (a) to encourage and (b) to support members of the UK armed forces who have sporting prowess sufficient to be considered for participation in the Olympic Games; and if he will make a statement. [50417]

Mr. Touhig: As far as operational commitments allow, United Kingdom armed forces personnel are allocated time to play sport during the working week and every encouragement is given to participate from grass roots to the elite level.

Comprehensive sports facilities and equipment are provided from public funds in a wide range of sports. Travel costs are reimbursed for Services representational sports events. Non-public funds are used to support those representing national teams.

Those athletes showing outstanding potential for an international career are considered for the 'elite athletes' programme. Selection enables the individual to train full time for a fixed period leading up to a major international sporting event.

Operation Telic

Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost is of military reservists mobilised specifically for Operation Telic to December 2005. [53853]

Mr. Ingram: As the net additional cost of Service Personnel for Operation Telic is calculated as a whole it is not possible to separately break down the costs of military mobilised reservists.

Peacekeeping

Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of peacekeeping by United Kingdom forces for each peacekeeping operation in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [53794]

Mr. Ingram: The costs of operations are calculated on a net additional basis and audited figures are published each year in the Ministry of Defence's Annual Report and Accounts. Costs of peacekeeping operations for Financial Years 1997–98 to 2004–05 were:
Military operations—Costs 2002–05 £ million (current prices)

Resource DEL outturn Capital DEL outturn Total outturn

Total peacekeeping costs 2004–05 890 174 1,064

of which:

Balkans (Bosnia/Kosovo) 85 2 87

Afghanistan 58 9 67

Iraq 747 163 910

Total peacekeeping costs 2003–04 1,193 269 1,462

of which:

Balkans (Bosnia/Kosovo) 104 ⁽⁷⁾-1 103

Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 0 1

Afghanistan 36 10 46

Iraq 1,051 260 1,311

Sierra Leone 1 0 1

EUFYROM 1 0 1

Total peacekeeping costs 2002–03 1,071 319 1,390

of which:

Kosovo 87 18 105

Bosnia 79 2 81

Gulf 39 6 45

Afghanistan 236 75 311

Iraq 630 218 848

⁽⁷⁾ Adjustment from previous year.

27 Feb 2006 : Column 27W

Military operations—Costs (prior to resource accounting) £ million

Total outturn

Total peacekeeping costs 2001–02 557

of which:

Kosovo 142

Bosnia 93

Gulf 61

Sierra Leone 40

Afghanistan 221

Total peacekeeping costs 2000–01 382

of which:

Kosovo 220

Bosnia 120

Gulf⁽⁸⁾ 25

Sierra Leone 17

Total peacekeeping costs 1999–2000 461

of which:

Kosovo 325

Bosnia 108

Gulf⁽⁸⁾ 28

Total peacekeeping costs 1998–99 196

of which:

Kosovo 14

Bosnia 147

Gulf⁽⁸⁾ 35

Total peacekeeping costs 1997–98 402

of which:

Bosnia 386

Gulf⁽⁸⁾ 16

⁽⁸⁾ RFR1 cost.

	Resource DEL outturn	Capital DEL outturn	Total outturn
Total peacekeeping costs 2004–05	890	174	1,064
of which:
Balkans (Bosnia/Kosovo)	85	2	87
Afghanistan	58	9	67
Iraq	747	163	910

Total peacekeeping costs 2003–04	1,193	269	1,462
of which:
Balkans (Bosnia/Kosovo)	104	⁽⁷⁾-1	103
Democratic Republic of the Congo	1	0	1
Afghanistan	36	10	46
Iraq	1,051	260	1,311
Sierra Leone	1	0	1
EUFYROM	1	0	1
Total peacekeeping costs 2002–03	1,071	319	1,390
of which:
Kosovo	87	18	105
Bosnia	79	2	81
Gulf	39	6	45
Afghanistan	236	75	311
Iraq	630	218	848

	Total outturn
Total peacekeeping costs 2001–02	557
of which:
Kosovo	142
Bosnia	93
Gulf	61
Sierra Leone	40
Afghanistan	221

Total peacekeeping costs 2000–01	382
of which:
Kosovo	220
Bosnia	120
Gulf⁽⁸⁾	25
Sierra Leone	17

Total peacekeeping costs 1999–2000	461
of which:
Kosovo	325
Bosnia	108
Gulf⁽⁸⁾	28

Total peacekeeping costs 1998–99	196
of which:
Kosovo	14
Bosnia	147
Gulf⁽⁸⁾	35

Total peacekeeping costs 1997–98	402
of which:
Bosnia	386
Gulf⁽⁸⁾	16

The following estimated costs for operations in 2005–06 were included in Spring Supplementary Estimates published in February:
£

Amount

Afghanistan 220,497,000

Iraq 1,098,036,000

Balkans 64,000,000

	Amount
Afghanistan	220,497,000
Iraq	1,098,036,000
Balkans	64,000,000

Final figures will be published in the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts for 2005–06 following audit by the National Audit Office.

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