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22 Mar 2006 : Column 435W—continued
Equipment Suitability
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Lynx AH Mk7, (b) Lynx AH Mk9 and (c) Gazelle helicopters the armed forces have; and how many are fit for purpose. [57477]
Mr. Ingram: The information requested is shown in the table.
| Aircraft Type | Total fleet | Unit operating fleet | Fit for purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynx Mk 7 | 86 | 63 | 42 |
| Lynx Mk 9 | 22 | 14 | 10 |
| Gazelle | 119 | 63 | 42 |
| Total | 227 | 140 | 94 |
The Total Fleet represents the total number of aircraft held by the armed forces and includes those currently in repair and those designated as redundant/unrepairable. The Unit Operating Fleet (UOF) refers to those aircraft located at front line and training units. Fit for purpose describes an aircraft which is part of the UOF and available, reliable, airworthy and capable of carrying out its planned mission on a given date. The figures used are current as of 9 March 2006.
Harrier Deployment
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when RAF Harrier jets (a) were first deployed to Afghanistan and (b) are due to be withdrawn. [57402]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 14 March 2006]: The UK's Harrier GR7 detachment in Afghanistan commenced operations in September 2004. On current plans, they are due to be withdrawn on 30 June 2006.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 13 February 2006, Official Report, column 1587W, on post traumatic stress disorder, how many ex-service personnel claimed for a war pension where one of the claim conditions to the individual's service was post traumatic stress disorder or a related condition in the 12 month period between 1 October and the following 30 September in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03, (c) 2003–04 and (d) 2004–05; and if he will make a statement. [53817]
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Mr. Touhig [holding answer 27 February 2006]: It is not possible to provide medical condition statistics broken down by such broad categories such as 'post traumatic stress disorder or related conditions'. However it is possible for us to provide data concerning the number of claims received that include specific medical conditions, such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Between 1 October 2004 and 30 September 2005, 290 ex-service personnel made a War Pensions first claim where the claimed conditions included Post Traumatic Stress Disorder". 185 ex-service personnel made a War Pensions further condition claim, where the further conditions included Post Traumatic Stress Disorder".
For the same period 2003 to 2004, there were 280 first claims where conditions included Post Traumatic Stress Disorder". There were also 210 further condition claims.
For the same period 2002 to 2003, there were 335 first claims where conditions included Post Traumatic Stress Disorder". There were also 260 further condition claims.
For the same period 2001 to 2002, there were 380 first claims where conditions included Post Traumatic Stress Disorder". There were also 230 further condition claims.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 13 February 2006, Official Report, column 1587W, on post traumatic stress disorder, how many ex-service personnel successfully claimed for a war pension where one of the accepted conditions to the individual's service was post traumatic stress disorder or a related condition for the 12 month period between 1 October and the following 30 September in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04; and if he will make a statement. [53818]
Mr. Touhig [holding answer 27 February 2006]: It is not possible to provide medical condition statistics broken down by such broad categories such as 'post traumatic stress disorder or related conditions'. However it is possible for us to provide data concerning the number of claims received that include specific medical conditions, such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Between 1 October 2003 and 30 September 2004, there were 180 successful first claims where conditions included Post Traumatic Stress Disorder". There were also 150 successful further condition claims.
For the same period 2002–03, there were 225 successful first claims where conditions included Post Traumatic Stress Disorder". There were also 175 successful further condition claims.
For the same period 2001–02, there were 290 successful first claims where conditions included Post Traumatic Stress Disorder". There were also 160 successful further condition claims.
Note that a successful claim includes ongoing War Pension awards, gratuities and nil awards.
Royal Navy
Angus Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy (a) ships have a home port in Scotland and (b) facilities are maintained in
22 Mar 2006 : Column 437W
Scotland; what the associated running costs associated with each have been in each year since 1998; and if he will make a statement. [59431]
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Mr. Ingram: The vessels, which are currently base-ported at HMNB Clyde are shown in the following table:
The running costs of HMNB Clyde are:
| Running costs (£ million) | |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | (20)— |
| 1998–99 | (20)— |
| 1999–2000 | 32 |
| 2000–01 | 32 |
| 2001–02 | 28 |
| 2002–03 | 27 |
| 2003–04 | 23 |
| 2004–05 | 28 |
(20) Data not available
These figures represent the general site operating costs for HMNB Clyde and include utilities, rates and telecommunications and maintenance costs.
The Naval Service uses two other bases in Scotland:
Costs for RM Condor and HMS Gannet are, however, captured by function, rather than location, and therefore could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Sea Task Force
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans his Department has for a sea task force; what non-departmental vessels under (a) UK Government, (b) Scottish Executive and (c) Welsh Assembly control are expected to be called into active service under these plans; and if he will make a statement. [59694]
Mr. Ingram: The Royal Navy maintains a Maritime First Echelon of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force as a contingency force to respond to emerging crises. This comprises forces capable of self-sustaining power-projection operations, based on a Maritime Strike Capability and a Littoral Manoeuvre Capability. This is supported by appropriate enabling forces and auxiliary forces.
The operational requirement for other non-Ministry of Defence shipping that is under UK Government, Scottish Executive, and Welsh Assembly control is event-driven, and would be tailored accordingly. The MOD charters such additional vessels from the shipping market as and when required.
Surveillance Tools (Northern Ireland)
Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the surveillance tools used by the British Army in their remaining watchtowers and lookout posts in Northern Ireland. [58914]
Mr. Ingram: The Armed Forces' Northern Ireland Normalisation programme is pressing ahead, as recently verified by the Independent Monitoring Commission Demolition of the five remaining towers and observation posts is scheduled to take place by 1 August 2007. However, in the context of continuing operations at those sites, I am withholding information on the surveillance equipment used because its disclosure would be to the detriment of national security, the prevention and detection of crime, defence capability and the safety of individuals.
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