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13 Nov 2007 : Column 127W—continued
HMS Illustrious
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of time (a) HMS Illustrious and (b) HMS Ark Royal were (i) on operations and (ii) undergoing maintenance in each year since 1997. [162637]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to my letter of 5 November 2007, (D/Min (AF)/BA PQ03726T/LN), a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House.
Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many improvised explosive device jammers are (a) installed and (b) not installed in vehicles in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan in every year since 2003. [162531]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I can confirm that equipment to counter radio controlled improvised explosive devices is installed in vehicles used in operational theatres. I am withholding details of the numbers or locations of vehicles that are so equipped as disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many pieces of surveillance and target acquisition equipment are in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan; and where each is located. [162662]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces.
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many joint strike fighters will be used for (a) system development and demonstration, (b) evaluation, (c) instructor training and (d) operational conversion unit. [163036]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth:
Current plans are that 19 joint strike fighters will be used for the system development and demonstration (SDD) for JSF. The UK share for these are covered by our fixed $2 billion contribution to SDD. The UK's contribution to the joint operational test and evaluation of JSF with the US services is two aircraft. Instructor training will be conducted through a combination of simulator training and use of operational conversion unit aircraft and the UK operational conversion unit will build over time to
16 aircraft. Other than the SDD aircraft the UK has made no commitments to purchase aircraft and we will continue to monitor requirements as the programme matures.
Military Aircraft
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) C-17 Globemaster, (b) C-130K Hercules, (c) C-130J Hercules, (d) Tristar and (e) VC-10 aircraft are (i) in service with the RAF and (ii) fit for purpose. [162572]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 9 October 2007, Official Report, column 509W.
The numbers of C-130J, C-130K, VC10, Tristar and C-17 fit for purpose for the financial year to 31 October 2007 are provided in the following table:
| Aircraft type | Numbers of aircraft fit for purpose (average for financial year to 31 October 2007( 1) ) |
| (1) Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number. | |
Aircraft that are available for immediate deployment are fit for purpose; they are capable of undertaking the required task on a given day. Aircraft are not available for tasking if they are undergoing scheduled maintenance, modification programmes or any other unforeseen rectification work that can arise on a day to day basis. The figures do not reflect the fact that an aircraft assessed as not fit for purpose may be returned to the front line at very short notice to meet the operational need.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total (a) planned and (b) actual usage hours for the (i) C-17 Globemaster, (ii) C-130K Hercules, (iii) C-130J Hercules, (iv) Tristar and (v) VC-10 aircraft were in each year since 2003. [162573]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The total number of planned and actual hours for the C-17, Hercules (C130J and C130K), Tristar and VC10 aircraft for each of the financial years 2002-03 to 2006-07 are contained in the following table:
| Aircraft type | Planned | Actual |
| (1) We do not hold confirmed and validated figures for the actual hours flown for the financial year 2006 to 2007. | ||
Military Attachés
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the impact of the redeployment of defence attachés from UK embassies and overseas missions on the level of intelligence gathered. [162033]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The redeployment of defence attachés will have no impact on the ability of the Ministry of Defence to obtain the intelligence we require.
Red Arrows: Finance
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what spending plans are being made for the Red Arrows from 2010 to 2012. [163333]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: None of the budgets within the Department for financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12 have been determined. Decisions on this will be taken at the end of the current planning round in spring 2008.
Warships
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the highest gapped unit percentage was for a Royal Navy vessel in each of the last 12 months; [162831]
(2) what the highest gapped unit percentage was for a Royal Navy vessel in each year since 1997. [162832]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Detailed statistics of manpower gapping for Royal Navy ships are not held centrally. Manning levels of ships are adjusted according to their task. They routinely operate gapped posts as a result of personnel being ashore for training, medical, or compassionate reasons, or assigned to higher priority tasking elsewhere.
Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Exports: Food
Mr. Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the value of British food and drink exports to India in the last year for which figures are available. [163655]
Mr. Thomas: HMRC overseas trade statistics record UK exports to India of food, live animals and beverages worth £33.9 million in 2006.
Motor Sports
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he last met (a) the board of Motorsport Development UK and (b) other representatives of the British motor sports industry. [163838]
Mr. Timms: There have not been any recent meetings with BERR Ministers, but I will be meeting with the chairman of Motorsport Development UK on 10 December.
Motorsport Development UK
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what motorsport experience was required for members of the board of Motorsport Development UK in each of the last five years. [163791]
Mr. Timms: Motorsport Development UK's advisory board consists of senior people and academics with broad business based experience including, but not limited to: a track record in motorsport (both two and four wheel); an understanding of economic issues affecting the sector; good network of contacts within the motorsport and/or related industries; analytical and communication skills, ability to work as part of a diverse team; and sound judgement and objectivity, drive and determination.
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received on the (a) role, (b) work and (c) effectiveness of Motorsport Development UK. [163837]
Mr. Timms: Since the launch of Motorsport Development UK in 2003, there have been a number of meetings with Government Ministers and senior officials—most recently with Richard Caborn in March 2007. 1 will be meeting with the chairman, Bob Gilbert, on 10 December.
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which international exhibitions have been attended by representatives of Motorsport Development UK; at which such exhibitions the organisation maintained a stand; and how much was spent on such activities in each of the last three years. [163923]
Mr. Timms: Motorsport Development UK has not actively participated in, or directly funded, any overseas international exhibition within the past three years.
Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what priorities and objectives he has set for Motorsport Development UK; and what expenditure it has incurred in each of the last three years, broken down by main budget heading. [163927]
Mr. Timms: Following the recommendations of the Motorsport Competitiveness Panel in 2003, Motorsport Development UK has supported a number of programmes to strengthen the sport and its related industry, the main headings of which are as follows:
| £ million | |
The funding indicated has been received from a number of sources including BERR and the four regional development agencies, which make up the bulk of ‘Motorsport Valley’—EMDA, AWM, EEDA and SEEDA. The funding relates to monies expended or contractually committed.
Post Offices
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has (a) made and (b) evaluated of the potential effects on remaining post offices as a result of the Post Office Ltd. closure programme; and if he will make a statement. [163780]
Mr. McFadden: It is expected that business migrating from offices which close will improve the viability of remaining post offices. Post Office Ltd's local decisions will need to reflect the Government's aim of supporting a national network of post offices and to comply with the access criteria requirements set by Government.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans his Department has to provide extra capacity at post offices that act as alternative branches under Post Office Ltd. closure programme; and if he will make a statement. [163781]
Mr. McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked Alan Cook, managing director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.
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