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28 Feb 2006 : Column 619W—continued
Iraq
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it was his Department's policy following the cessation of major hostilities in Iraq to encourage members of the Badr Corps and Badr Organisation to join the Iraqi security forces. [51619]
John Reid [holding answer 14 February 2006]: Following the end of the conflict in Iraq, the Coalition Provisional Authority sought to re-integrate militia members into civil society. This process included members of the Badr Organisation, formerly known as the Badr Corps, among others.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with United States officials about the withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq. [53744]
John Reid:
We hold regular discussions with our coalition partners, including the United States, about our progress in Iraq. We have made it clear during these discussions, as I have also made clear to the House, that any United Kingdom handover will be conditions-based and will not be driven by arbitrary timetables.
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Military Support (United States)
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment his Department has made of the likely implications for the UK of the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review by the US Department of Defense; [54384]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect of the provisions in the Department of Defense's 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review to overhaul "export control activities" and "providing advanced military technologies to foreign allies and partners" on technology transfer from the US to the UK; and what consultations he has had with his US counterparts on the matter. [54388]
John Reid: We welcome the United States' early consultation and engagement with the United Kingdom during the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) process. We are particularly pleased with the emphasis the QDR gives to working with allies and partners to resolve international security issues and the recognition that Defence is only one part of a range of responses. Given this increased emphasis on continuing to work closely and effectively with allies, the overall impact on UK Defence Policy as set out in the Defence White Paper (Cm6041-I) is limited.
We also welcome the emphasis that the QDR places on the need to overhaul US export control regulations and the focus on technology sharing. Discussions with Department of Defense Officials and other representatives of the US Government are ongoing with the principal aim of achieving enhanced interoperability of UK and US armed forces.
Missile Defence
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department has received from the United States regarding missile defence in each of the last three years. [54372]
John Reid: Officials work closely with the US on joint technology programmes and to further our understanding of the US ballistic missile defence system. Representations to and from the US relating to information exchange and other matters therefore arise on a daily basis and are too numerous to list.
NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution his Department is making in the establishment of a NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre. [54389]
John Reid: The UK, as host nation, plans to provide three personnel for the Intelligence Fusion Centre, which will be located at RAF Molesworth. RAF Molesworth is currently made available to the United States Visiting Force under the terms of the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, 1951.
Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with (a) officials and (b) commanders of UK forces on the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal. [53368]
28 Feb 2006 : Column 621W
Mr. Touhig: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has had no discussions with either officials or commanders of UK forces about the Pingat Jasa Malaysia, which is a commemorative medal instituted by the Malaysian Government for service between August 1957 and August 1966.
On behalf of the Government, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is responsible for administering the policy relating to the acceptance and wear of non-British awards by British citizens.
Portsmouth Harbour
Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the plans are for rebuilding the Up Harbour Ammunitioning Facility in Portsmouth Harbour. [53501]
Mr. Ingram: Options are currently being assessed for rebuilding the Upper Harbour Ammunitioning Facility in Portsmouth, so that it will be capable of supporting the Type 45 destroyer and other classes of ships up to 10,000 tonnes. On current plans this facility will be in place for loading ammunition on the first Type 45 destroyer, HMS Daring, in October 2008.
QinetiQ
Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will post on his website copies of the documents listed at paragraph 26 page 317 of the QinetiQ offer document. [54283]
John Reid: Copies of the documents listed at paragraph 26 page 317 of the QinetiQ IPO Prospectus were made available for anyone who wished to view them prior to closure of the IPO at the offices of QinetiQ's lawyers as detailed in the Prospectus. Further information about these documents is a matter for the company and questions should be referred to the Chief Executive at the following address:
Tanker Aircraft
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft from the Royal Air Force's air-to-air refuelling fleet are unserviceable. [54409]
Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 818W to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox). The position for the Tristar and VC 10 fleet is unchanged.
Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the agreed efficiency target for his Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review is to be cashable; and under what budget headings these cashable efficiency savings will be re-spent. [52828]
28 Feb 2006 : Column 622W
John Reid: More than three quarters of the planned savings are to be cashable. All these savings will be re-invested in the department's budget, in line with the Defence priorities set out in Future Capabilities Command Paper, published in July 2004, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
Type 45 Destroyer
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the forecast cost of the Type 45 Destroyer programme was as at 31 March of financial years 2000–01 to 2004–05, broken down by (a) indirect resource departmental expenditure limit (DEL), (b) direct resource DEL and (c) capital DEL. [54420]
Mr. Ingram: The forecast cost of the Type 45 Destroyer programme as at the end of financial years 2002 to 2005, are as reported in the respective Major Projects Report (MPR) 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. The breakdown into indirect resource expenditure (I-RDEL), direct resource expenditure (R-DEL) and capital expenditure (CDEL) is as follows:
| Major project report | R-DEL | I-RDEL | CDEL | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 234 | — | 5,045 | 5,279 |
| 2003 | 23 | 876 | 4,647 | 5,546 |
| 2004 | 46 | 646 | 5,136 | 5,828 |
| 2005 | 42 | 820 | 5,034 | 5,896 |
For the financial year ending 31 March 2001, only the total forecast cost of £5,250 million is available. MPR2002 was the first National Audit Office report of forecast Type 45 expenditure post main gate approval. At MPR 2002, the RDEL was overstated and I-RDEL was omitted. Both of these errors were corrected in MPR2003. From MPR2004 onwards, the I-RDEL figure was adjusted in agreement with the National Audit Office to take into account the Treasury change to the rate of interest on capital from 6 per cent. to 3.5 per cent.
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