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19 Jun 2007 : Column 1754W—continued
| Date | Function | Event/Reason | Cost (£) |
| Date | Function | Event/Reason | Cost (£) |
Bombs
Mr. Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which cluster munitions held by the UK are designated as (a) dumb and (b) smart; and what criteria are used to determine such designation. [142527]
Mr. Ingram: The UK’s understanding of so-called ‘dumb’ cluster munitions, are those containing numerous sub-munitions, each with an explosive content but without either a target discrimination or self-destruct, self-neutralization or self-deactivation function. As stated in the written ministerial statement on 20 March 2007, Official Report, column 36WS, by my hon. Friend the Defence Secretary, the two systems that met this definition, the RBL-755 and MLRS M26, have now been withdrawn from service. We retain our other cluster munition, the ‘non-dumb’ ERBS L20A1 M85.
Defence Storage and Distribution Agency
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the estimated cost is of centralising the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency at Donnington and Bicester; and what the projected annual effect on costs is following the closure of eight regional distribution centres; [142011]
(2) what the estimated cost is of closing the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency site at Colchester; and what the projected annual effect on costs is following its closure. [142012]
Mr. Ingram: The estimated cost to close eight Regional Distribution Centres (RDCs) and centralise transport operations mainly at Bicester and Donnington is £512,000, plus an amount for any compulsory redundancy payments that might prove necessary where affected staff cannot be redeployed.
The projected annual cost saving of closing the eight RDC’s is £2.44 million.
The costs of closure of the Colchester RDC will arise mainly from redundancy payments should they be required. There may also be some minimal costs associated with relocating vehicles and mechanical handling equipment. The annual cost saving after closing the Colchester RDC will be £260,000 per year.
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff will be made redundant when the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency site at Colchester closes; and what action he is taking to provide alternative employment at the Colchester Garrison for those staff who do not seek voluntary redundancy. [142013]
Mr. Ingram: There are now 15 permanent Defence Storage and Distribution Agency (DSDA) staff based at Colchester potentially affected by the proposals to close the Regional Distribution Centre, however this is still subject to TU Consultation. The Future Defence Supply Chain initiative announcement in July 2005 stated that 12 posts would be lost.
DSDA is actively engaging with the Colchester Garrison and other local government establishments, to identify possible posts within their organisations for
DSDA staff not wishing to seek voluntary redundancy. A preference exercise will identify individuals wishing to secure early release and voluntary redundancy, with compulsory redundancy being the last option.
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency site at Colchester to close. [142015]
Mr. Ingram: The closure of the Regional Distribution Centre at Colchester is projected to be complete by April 2008. However, the decision is still subject to TU Consultation and final ministerial endorsement.
Defence: Procurement
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military equipment was purchased off-the-shelf from non-UK suppliers in each year since 1997; and what the cost was of each purchase. [142528]
Mr. Ingram: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departments: BAE Systems
Mr. Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the total cost to the public purse was of each of the contracts between BAe Systems and his Department in each of the last five years; [141313]
(2) which defence procurement contracts are in place between his Department and BAe Systems; [141314]
(3) what the value is of each defence procurement contracts in place between his Department and BAe Systems. [141315]
Mr. Ingram: Central records indicate the Ministry of Defence currently has some 785 separate direct contracts in place with BAE Systems. These are listed in an extensive table which I have placed in the Library of the House. The number excludes small-value local purchase orders, contracts placed on behalf of other nations and other Government departments and those where BAE Systems is a subcontractor or a member of an industry consortium. The approximate value of each contract is indicated in the table placed in the Library by reference to a value band.
The combined value of the 785 contracts, as at 8 June 2007, was some £24,893 million. I am withholding the precise value of individual contracts and the total cost to the public purse as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests. The scale of total payments made to major BAE Systems divisions over the past five financial years on all direct contracts, as published by the Defence Analytical Services Agency, is shown in the table.
| £ million | |||||
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