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30 Oct 2007 : Column 1341W—continued
Trade: Bermuda
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many officials in his Department work on promoting trade between the United Kingdom and Bermuda, broken down by grade; and how many did so in (a) 1983, (b) 1987, (c) 1992, (d) 1997 and (e) each year between 1998 and 2005. [161083]
Mr. Thomas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he has (a) taken and (b) plans to take to increase trade between the United Kingdom and Bermuda; how much his Department has spent on trade promotion between the United Kingdom and Bermuda; and if he will make a statement. [161088]
Mr. Thomas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
UK Trade and Investment: Defence Export Service Organisation
Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he was informed of the Prime Minister's decision to close the Defence Exports Services Organisation and to move part of its remit to UK Trade and Investment. [160069]
Mr. Thomas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
Union Modernisation Fund
Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many applications have been received for round 2 funding under the Union Modernisation Fund; and for each what the (a) applicant union, (b) project title and (c) amount of funding applied for was in each case. [148352]
Mr. McFadden [holding answer 9 July 2007]: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
Wind Power
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has had from (a) the Ministry of Defence, (b) the shipping industry and (c) other marine-based industries on the development of off-shore wind power. [161731]
Malcolm Wicks: The Department has received a number of representations in recent years from the Ministry of Defence and marine-based industries covering a range of issues relating to the development of offshore wind power.
We take a proactive approach in engaging with stakeholders in these areas. For example, we have established a number of for a—including the Offshore Renewable Energy and Environmental Forum (OREEF), the Fishing Liaison with Offshore Wind and Wet Renewables Group (FLOWW), the Nautical and Offshore Renewable Energy Liaison Group (NOREL) and the Aviation Steering Group—in order to engage effectively with stakeholders.
Winfrith Nuclear Research Establishment
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) what representations he has received on the future maintenance and safety of the Winfrith nuclear site; and if he will make a statement; [158479]
(2) what representations he has received on reductions in funding to UKAEA Winfrith; and if he will make a statement. [158480]
Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 16 October 2007]: My Department has received representations from stakeholders concerning the funding of nuclear decommissioning and clean up programmes at Winfrith and I met with the hon. Member for Wantage (Mr. Vaizey), on 8 October to discuss the matter. The NDA have also received representations on this, and will shortly be publishing for consultation its three year business plan which will set out its proposed allocation of funds across its 19 designated sites. It is for the NDA to plan programmes in consultation with the site licence companies. Safety remains the highest priority for the Government and the NDA.
Yorkshire Forward Regional Development Agency: Stationery
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was spent by Yorkshire Forward Regional Development Agency on headed paper in each of the last five years; and what each figure represents per sheet. [159954]
Mr. Timms: Over the last five years, between 2003-07, Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency for Yorkshire and the Humber have spent a total of £173,259, on 2,511 reams of headed paper based on an average purchase price of £69 per ream. This in turn represents a figure of 14p per sheet.
The breakdown for each year is as follows:
| Year cost (£) | Number of reams | Cost (pence per sheet) | |
| (1) To date | |||
Yorkshire Forward are in the process of changing the design of their headed paper from two-sided to one sided printing, and from four colours to two colours. This should reduce the cost per ream by approximately 50 per cent.
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) ambushed and (b) improvised explosive device attacks were carried out against International Security Assistance Force troops in Helmand Province in each month in 2007. [161776]
Des Browne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) commanders and (b) foot soldiers surrendered to (i) the International Security Assistance Force and (ii) the Afghan National Army in each month in 2007. [161777]
Des Browne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Pinzgauer vector protected patrol vehicles have been issued to British forces in Afghanistan; how many such vehicles have been subject to mine and improvised explosive device strikes; and how many personnel have been killed or seriously injured while crewing such vehicles as a result of such strikes. [155173]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 12 September 2007]: We are in the process of implementing a programme to deploy Vector vehicles to support UK forces in Afghanistan. I am withholding the number of vehicles deployed as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
I am withholding details of incidents in which the UK military personnel have been killed or seriously injured by mine and improvised explosive devices whilst crewing Vector as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
However, I can confirm that as of 28 October 2007, two British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan by a mine or improvised explosive device while crewing Vector vehicles.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Mastiff protected patrol vehicles have been (a) issued to British Forces in Afghanistan and (b) subject to mine/IED strikes; and how many personnel have been killed or seriously injured while crewing such vehicles as a result of such strikes. [155183]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 12 September 2007]: We are in the process of implementing a programme to deploy the Mastiff vehicle to support UK forces in Afghanistan. In his statement to the House on 8 October, the Prime Minister announced that we would procure an additional 140 Mastiff vehicles, in addition to the 100 announced on 24 July 2006, Official Report, column 74WS. I am withholding the precise number of vehicles deployed in Afghanistan as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
I am withholding details of incidents in which UK military personnel were injured, as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2007, Official Report, column 331W, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping operations, what the full strength of 12 Mechanised Brigade was at the start of their tour; and how many of the 213 personnel evacuated from Helmand were replaced with new personnel. [161826]
Des Browne: Approximately 4,600 of the approximately 7,400 UK personnel deployed to Afghanistan this summer were part of 12 Mechanised Brigade. The remainder were part of the National Support Element or units or individuals operating outside the 12 Mechanised Brigade chain of command but still taking part in the ISAF mission.
Units of the UK armed forces deploy with sufficient numbers to allow resilience for rest and recuperation and any casualties and fatalities which may occur during their operational tour. If the operational capability of a unit is threatened by reductions in a unit's deployed establishment further unit augmentation can be provided but we do not have a formal process of replacing fatalities and casualties with new personnel.
Air Force: Military Bases
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of (a) RAF Leeming, (b) RAF Linton and (c) Dishforth Airfield. [161476]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth:
As my predecessor advised the hon. Member on 26 March 2007, Official Report, column 1355W, and 18 May 2007, Official Report, column 991W, the number and operation of military airfields is under constant review to ensure that the best use is made of the Defence Estate for our armed forces.
As my predecessor also advised the hon. Member, the long term future of RAF Leeming is secure.
RAF Linton-on-Ouse is one of six main sites that currently provide UK military flying training. The station may be affected by the UK Military Flying Training System (MFTS) procurement project which will cater for the future flying training needs of the armed forces. No decisions have yet been taken.
As my predecessor advised the hon. Member on 16 May 2007, Official Report, column 820W, we are currently reviewing our long-term requirements for all of the UK’s military helicopter bases under Programme Belvedere. It is too early to say what the outcome of this study will be and what, if any, impact this will have on Dishforth Airfield. I will inform the House when I am able to say more.
Armed Forces: Casualties
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many high dependency battle casualties have been treated at (a) Selly Oak, (b) Headley Court and (c) other units in 2007; and how many were treated in each preceding year since March 2003. [161318]
Derek Twigg [holding answer 29 October 2007]: The number of casualties classified as Very Seriously Injured (VSI) and Seriously Injured (SI) since current operations started in Iraq (2003) and Afghanistan (2001) are published and updated regularly on the MOD website.
“High Dependency Battle Casualties” are not recorded as a separate classification of military patient. The majority of our battlefield casualties requiring hospital treatment receive this in NHS hospitals in Birmingham prior to transfer to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court for rehabilitation where this is clinically appropriate. In exceptional circumstances, such as in cases of severe brain trauma, spinal injuries and severe burns, a very few patients at any one time have been referred to other specialist facilities (either NHS or private) to ensure they receive the best possible care
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK (a) casualties and (b) high dependency casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan have been treated in US hospitals. [161570]
Derek Twigg: The information is not held centrally.
Armed Forces: Complaints
Mrs. Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the estimated cost to date is of recruitment of a service complaints commissioner; by what means and where the post was advertised; on what date advertisements were placed in which publications; how many applications were received; and how many further posts will be advertised for the Commissioner’s Office; [161633]
(2) what consideration he has given to providing office facilities for the Service Complaints Commissioner located outside the Ministry of Defence establishment. [161634]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The recruitment process for the Service Complaints Commissioner closely follows the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Code to ensure appointment on merit following a fair and open competition. The recruitment campaign cost some £40,500 (including VAT), which includes the use of independent recruitment consultants, advertisements in the national press and on the internet. The post was advertised in T he Sunday Times Public Appointments section on 3 June and The Times Public Agenda section on 5 June. 93 applications were received for the post.
Other matters related to the Service Complaints Commissioner’s office will be for the Commissioner to decide.
We expect to announce the appointment of the Service Complaints Commissioner shortly.
Armed Forces: Coroners
Mr. Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on legal representation of his Department's interests at inquests into the deaths of service men and women on active service overseas held since the commencement of the second Iraq War. [160757]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 29 October 2007]: A coroner’s inquest is a non-adversarial fact finding inquiry at which there is rarely a need for legal representation and in the majority of inquests MOD does not instruct a legal team. Where MOD, as an interested person, does engage legal representation this is to assist the coroner in his statutory function where, for example, complex or novel issues may arise.
Up to 30 September 2007 MOD has spent approximately £661,096 on external legal representation at 30 inquests held into deaths of service personnel arising from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 19/20 March 2003. Of this, £8,841, at nine inquests, involved legal expenditure incurred to assist the coroner prior to the hearings at which the MOD was not otherwise legally represented.
Armed Forces: Deployment
Mr. Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what average number of nights members of (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy, (c) the Royal Air Force and (d) all service personnel spent away from home in each year since 1997. [155796]
Derek Twigg: Time spent away from ‘the family home’ is not recorded for members of the armed forces. Time spent away is measured when an individual is away from their normal place of duty and is referred to as Separated Service (SS). Statistics are presented in the form of percentages of personnel breaching harmony rather than average number of nights spent away per person. Recording of SS only began in 2004 for all three Services.
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