| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
16 Oct 2007 : Column 942W—continued
Nuclear Weapons: Transport
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether approval has been granted for the main gate business case for the Defence Nuclear Weapons Transportation Continuation project. [157793]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Main Gate Business Case for the Nuclear Weapon Transportation Capability Continuation Project was approved on 7 May 2007.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the option to use a refurbished truck cargo heavy duty trailer for future high security vehicle or special nuclear material movements is still under consideration. [157794]
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason it is his Department’s policy that convoys carrying special nuclear materials should not look the same as convoys carrying nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement. [157796]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The nature of individual convoys will determine their constitution. I am withholding details of the procedures governing convoy operations as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice national security and defence of the UK.
Peacekeeping Operations
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many roulements have been delayed in entering theatre due to aircraft availability in (a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq in each year since 2001. [157039]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Each roulement involves a large number of flights.
Inevitably, some individual flights are delayed for a range of reasons. As far as our records can determine, however, in no instance since 2001 has there been a significant overall delay to a roulement, with the timing of the Transfer of Authority from the departing to the arriving force structures going ahead essentially as originally planned.
RAF Blenheim Crescent
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the role is of RAF Blenheim Crescent; and for what reason it was divested to the United States Air Force on 1 October 2007. [157777]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Blenheim Crescent is currently undergoing a programme of renovation works. Upon completion of these works the following units will be based there; the European Office of Aerospace Research and Development, the US Army International Technology Center Atlantic, the Office of Naval Research Global, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Joint NATO National Support Element, the Defense Energy Support Center and the Fleet Industrial Supply Center.
Blenheim Crescent was transferred to the United States Air Force for administrative purposes following the disestablishment of the Commander US Naval Activities in the UK.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many US (a) Army, (b) Navy, (c) Marines, (d) Airforce, (e) civilians and (f) contractors are working at RAF Blenheim Crescent. [157778]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Blenheim Crescent is currently vacant as the building is undergoing renovation. The US plans to move around 120 personnel into Blenheim Crescent over a period of several months with the first expected to arrive in November 2007. A precise breakdown of the final figure is not yet available although under current plans it is expected that the majority of personnel, around 50, will be employed by the US Navy with around 30 for the US Army and 25 for the US Air Force. The remainder will be a mix of contractors and civilian staff.
Sea King Helicopters
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the age is of each Sea King helicopter operated by the Department; and if he will make a statement. [157575]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The following table shows the age of each Sea King helicopter currently operated by the Department.
| Sea King helicopter ages | ||
| Tail No. | A/C Mk | Age of aircraft (years) |
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |