| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
27 Apr 2006 : Column 1274W—continued
Nuclear Weapons
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to debate studies into the costs of replacement of Trident. [65319]
John Reid: The issue of the possible replacement of Trident has been raised on numerous occasions in the House of Commons, most recently during Defence questions on 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 15. I have also discussed this issue with the House of Commons Defence Committee on 1 November 2005.
This work is at an extremely early stage and Ministers have not yet engaged in the process in any detail, nor have they made any decisions. There will therefore be many further opportunities for Members of Parliament to debate this issue, but it is too early to speculate on the possible costs of any replacement programme.
Official Travel
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of flights out of RAF Northolt was accounted for by (a) Ministers and (b) officials in each of the last three years. [64966]
Mr. Touhig: In 2005, 11.7 per cent. of 32 (The Royal) Squadron flights out of RAF Northolt carried Ministers.
The number of 32 (The Royal) Squadron flights out of RAF Northolt that carried officials is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Pension Schemes
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those companies to which his Department has given a Crown guarantee in relation to their pension schemes. [66540]
Mr. Touhig: I can advise that the Ministry of Defence has not given a Crown guarantee to any companies in relation to their pension schemes.
Queen's Flight
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision he makes for airport landing charges in the fees charged to other Government Departments for use of the Queen's Flight. [64791]
Mr. Ingram: Other Government Departments are charged an hourly rate for use of 32 (The Royal) Squadron aircraft. This hourly rate includes an element covering handling and landing charges.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what adjustment he has made to the price charged to other Government Departments for the use of the Queen's Flight as a result of recent increases in fuel costs. [64798]
Mr. Ingram:
The charges to other Government Departments for use of 32 (The Royal) Squadron aircraft are kept under regular review. The review earlier this month confirmed that existing charges (introduced in August 2005) remain appropriate.
27 Apr 2006 : Column 1275W
RAF Aircraft Servicing
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times RAF (a) Harrier GR7 and (b) Jaguar aircraft were cannibalised during (i) 2003, (ii) 2004 and (iii) 2005. [65445]
Mr. Ingram: The removal of serviceable parts from one aircraft for use on another is a short term, temporary measure to ensure that the maximum number of aircraft are available to the front line.
The number of these instances over the last three years is given in the following table.
| Aircraft type | ||
|---|---|---|
| Harrier GR(18) | Jaguar | |
| 2003 | 1,119 | 592 |
| 2004 | 958 | 714 |
| 2005 | 530 | 400 |
(18) These figures include cannibalisations in respect of Harrier GR7 and G7a.
Shipbuilding
Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of possible mergers of UK shipbuilding firms; and if he will make a statement. [62042]
Mr. Ingram: As we recognised in the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), the maritime industry in the United Kingdom is currently fragmented and inefficient. Different organisations undertake submarine and surface ship build and support, even though skills and facilities cross over in some areas.
We further recognised that Industrial restructuring and consolidation is a priority and fundamental to creating a viable and sustainable maritime industrial base; one that retains in the UK those technologies, infrastructure, skills, Intellectual Property and capacity needed to ensure appropriate sovereignty. The aim is to encourage greater efficiency and profitability within the industry, while maximising the opportunities for exports, in order to meet the anticipated demand for ensuring in future that the UK's armed forces are provided with the equipment they need, on time, and at best value for money.
Having stated the case for streamlining the business, it is not for Government to micromanage the industrial restructuring. However we recognise that as the predominant client we must be confident that consolidation will be beneficial to Ministry of Defence and industry. We expect to be consulted early and are likely to express preferences as any approaches emerge.
Given the MOD's substantial Warship build programme over the next decade, now is the time to address these issues to position the industry for a strong future in times when orders will be fewer.
Side Arms
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Army has plans to update the standard 9mm Browning side arm. [65380]
27 Apr 2006 : Column 1276W
Mr. Ingram: There are currently no plans to update the 9mm pistol.
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to re-allocate the Sig Sauer P220 side arms that were recently replaced by Glock 17s; and if he will make a statement. [65766]
Mr. Ingram: Neither the Sig Sauer P220 nor the Glock 17 is in current service with the Ministry of Defence.
Undercover Agents
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision has been made by his Department for the permanent protection of current and former undercover agents in the Irish republican movements who were service personnel when engaged in this role; and what discussions have been held between his Department and other relevant Departments about the duty of care for present or former such undercover agents in the republican movement, in the event of their role being exposed. [64903]
Mr. Ingram: We do not comment on matters relating to intelligence because to do so would be to the detriment of national security and the safety of individuals.
TREASURY
Gross Debt
Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Gross debt (Maastricht basis) shown in Table C23 of Budget 2006 (HC986) includes the capital debt component of private finance initiative and public-private partnership contracts. [65740]
Mr. Des Browne: General Government gross debt on a Maastricht basis (as forecast in Table C1 of Budget 2006) includes estimates for imputed liabilities for finance leases including those taken out under on balance sheet PFI contracts.
Business Rates
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many communication stations were registered for business rates by the Valuation Office Agency in England in each local authority area in 1998. [59126]
Mr. Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20 December 2005, Official Report, column 2836W, to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman).
Community Shops
Angela Browning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on community shops of the abolition of 0 per cent. corporation tax on small businesses. [66399]
John Healey:
The replacement of the starting and non-corporate distribution rates of corporation tax with a single banding for small companies set at the current small companies' rate will only impact on businesses and organisations within the charge to corporation tax
27 Apr 2006 : Column 1277W
and will not impact those operating in the self-employed form or not making profits. A full regulatory impact assessment can be found at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ria/ria-corporation-tax.pdf
Where community shops operating within the charge to corporation tax donate all or part of their profits to community or other charities under Gift Aid, there will be no tax paid on the profits donated.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |