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21 Nov 2007 : Column 896W—continued
Defence: Procurement
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which consultancy firms were hired for defence procurement in each of the last six months; which programmes or projects each firm worked on; and what the approximate cost was of each engagement. [164860]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
However, I am able to provide the estimated expenditure on consultancy firms engaged by defence equipment and support to support defence procurement activities between April and October 2007. I have placed a copy of the list in the Library of the House.
The estimates do not include expenditure on manpower substitution and technical consultancy.
Departmental Flexible Working
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff (a) have applied to work flexible hours and (b) work flexible hours (i) in the Department and (ii) the executive agencies for which the Department is responsible. [164331]
Derek Twigg: The number of staff who have requested but been refused flexible working is not known. However 1,055 requests to work flexibly have been approved between 27 November 2006 (when a centralised recording system was created) and 13 November 2007.
There are currently 2,356 staff recorded as working flexible hours in the Department. This includes executive agencies and the figure above. However, some written requests for flexible working are made informally between managers and staff. These will be formally recorded locally.
Departmental Losses
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the list of his Department's losses and special payment cases in financial year 2006-07. [164434]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: This information has been published in the MOD's 2006-07 Annual Report and Accounts (Note 31 on pages 270 to 274 of HC 697 of 23 July 2007). Copies have been placed in the Library of the House and are available on line at
Departmental Official Hospitality
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what entertainment or hospitality members of his Department’s management board received in each of the last three financial years; and if he will make a statement. [164751]
Derek Twigg: The Civil Service Management Code and Queen’s Regulations set out the rules on acceptance and registration of hospitality by civil servants and military personnel. The Government are committed to publishing an annual list of hospitality received by members of departmental boards. The first list for 2007 will be published as soon as it is ready after the end of the current calendar year.
Ex-servicemen: Military Decorations
Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans resident in (a) Enfield and (b) Enfield, North constituency have applied for their Veterans Day badge. [165123]
Derek Twigg: Information is not held in the correct format to make an accurate assessment of the number of veterans resident in Enfield and Enfield, North constituency that have applied for their veterans badge. However, I can confirm that a total of 511 residents in the Enfield area have applied and received their veterans lapel badge.
Future Surface Combatant
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what strategic and tactical roles are envisaged for the Future Surface Combatant; and what guidance has been given to the design teams in respect of each role. [165174]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 19 November 2007]: The Future Surface Combatant (FSC) is expected to build on the capabilities of the existing Type 22 and Type 23 multi-purpose frigates that they will replace, as an integral part of the balanced fleet required to support the UK’s future defence commitments. FSC is at the early stages of concept design and the detailed user requirements have yet to be defined.
Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Mastiff vehicles have been uparmoured in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan since 2006. [162561]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: As part of the UK conversion programme, Mastiff vehicles are upgraded prior to deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. This includes the fitting of additional armour protection. Protection levels are continually assessed and improvements may in future be incorporated in theatre or the UK as necessary.
Libyan Arab Republic: Arms Trade
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors are taken into account when licensing military exports to Libya. [165581]
Dr. Howells: I have been asked to reply.
The UK has one of the most rigorous and transparent export licensing regimes in the world. All licence applications are individually assessed on a case-by-case basis against “The Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria”. The criteria cover, in detail, how we assess each case. Some of the key factors considered include: an assessment of the nature and military capability of the equipment; the prevailing circumstances in the proposed country of import; the expected end-use and end-user of the equipment; the human rights record of the importing country; and whether there is a clear risk that the export might be used for internal repression. The criteria also requires us to take into account the risk of military equipment being re- exported or diverted under undesirable conditions. We will not issue an export licence for equipment destined for any country, unless we are satisfied the application meets the high standards of the consolidated criteria.
Military Bases
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of his Department’s bases are mothballed. [165064]
Derek Twigg: The defence estate is kept under continuous review to ensure that it is no larger than required for defence purposes.
Sites for which there is no longer a military purpose are disposed of as soon as possible. Sites which are retained though vacant, are either awaiting disposal or a decision as to their further use. Sites are not retained as a contingency against unidentified potential uses.
Military Bases: Security
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many breaches of security were reported at his Department’s bases and headquarters in each of the last five years; how many (a) arrests and (b) prosecutions resulted; and if he will make a statement. [165653]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: This information will take time to be collated as the data will have to be obtained from different areas of the Department. I will write to the hon. Member when the information has been compiled and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.
NATO Response Force
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which military units formed the UK's commitment to the NATO Response Force in 2005. [165885]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: From January to June 2005, the UK’s contributions to the NATO Response Force were the Maritime Component Command together with associated supporting forces, including a carrier and associated aircraft, a destroyer/frigate escort, mine hunter, auxiliary support and maritime patrol aircraft; and the Special Forces Component Command and associated support aircraft. The UK also made available elements in support of an air-to-air refuelling unit, and two airborne early warning and four tactical air transport aircraft as part of the Air Component. From July to December 2005, the UK made available one destroyer/frigate and one mine hunter to the Maritime Component; and 18 air defence/fighter bomber, two maritime patrol, four tactical air transport and three air-to-air refuelling aircraft to the Air Component.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which military units will form the UK’s contribution to the NATO Response Force in 2008. [166003]
Des Browne: From January to June 2008, the UK’s contribution to the NATO Response Force will be one carrier and associated aircraft together with an escort ship (a destroyer or frigate) and a deployable air operating base (comprising four Tornado GR4 aircraft, and associated air-to-air refuelling, airborne early warning, and tactical air transport aircraft). The details of the UK’s contribution from July to December 2008 have yet to be confirmed. All forces will be drawn from the Joint Rapid Reaction Force.
Nimrod Aircraft
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many instances of fuel leaks from Nimrod aircraft have been recorded in the last 12 months. [164431]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
RAF St. Athan: Housing
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to (a) build and (b) finance married quarters at RAF St. Athan. [165868]
Derek Twigg: Currently there are sufficient Service Families Quarters for the service personnel stationed in St. Athan. However, under proposals being developed for the Defence Training Review (DTR) Programme, a new Defence Training Academy will be built at St. Athan. The academy will bring additional service personnel to the area and accommodation for their families will be required. A project has been established to arrange their procurement in parallel with the DTR Programme and provision has been made to finance this acquisition.
Spearhead Land Element
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which regiment or battalion forms the Spearhead Land Element (SLE); whether the SLE is fully equipped; whether the present SLE is deployed; and when the new SLE will take over from the present SLE. [166004]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The 3(rd) Battalion The Rifles form the Spearhead Land Element (SLE), which is not currently deployed. The SLE is currently fully equipped in accordance with the Joint Rapid Reaction Force Directive and operational mounting instructions. The next SLE will be provided by the 2(nd) Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, who will assume this role from 17 December 2007.
Territorial Army: Anniversaries
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Government have for celebrating the centenary in 2008 of the establishment of the Territorial Army; and whether it intends to involve hon. and right hon. Members in such celebrations. [165047]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my predecessor on 12 June 2007, Official Report, column 41WS, and my reply on 17 September 2007, Official Report, column 2176W, to the hon. Member for Westbury (Dr. Murrison).
Details of the forthcoming TA100 events have not yet been confirmed. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement in the new year, which will include details of the involvement of all key stakeholders in the celebrations.
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preparations are being made by his Department to mark the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army; and how much has been allocated by his Department to fund events related to this anniversary. [165138]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the announcement made by my predecessor on 12 June 2007, Official Report, column 41WS, and the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Westbury (Dr. Murrison) on 17 September 2007, Official Report, column 2176W.
Details of the forthcoming TA100 events have not yet been confirmed. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement in the new year, which will include details of the involvement of all key stakeholders in the celebrations.
Territorial Army: Colchester
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the central heating and hot water system at Colchester Territorial Army Centre recently broke down; what arrangements have been made for repairs or replacement; and when he expects the system to be fully operational. [165909]
Derek Twigg: The replacement of the heating and hot water system at the Colchester TA Centre was a planned installation, and work began on 8 November. It was hoped to maintain the heating system during the new installation using one of the existing boilers, but unfortunately this broke down on the same afternoon and it was discovered that replacement parts could not be obtained. Temporary heating was brought in to both the Drill Hall and the centre’s offices on 9 November.
It is intended that the installation of the new system will be complete by early December.
Territorial Army: Manpower
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest (a) establishment and (b) strength of the Territorial Army is for each rank of (i) officer and (ii) non-commissioned officer. [165050]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: A detailed breakdown of Territorial Army liability figures by rank is not currently available. However, the overall Territorial Army liability as at 1 March 2007 was 42,000 which includes 3,500 Officer Training Corps.
The total strength of the Territorial Army as at 1 March 2007 was 35,700. This is broken down in the tables:
| Territorial Army (TA) non-commissioned Officers by p aid r ank as at 1 March 2007 | |
| Paid rank | Strength |
| Notes: 1. TA Soldiers include Group A and Group B, Mobilised TA, Officer Training Corps and excludes Non Regular Permanent Staff and Full Time Reserve Service. 2. The data have been rounded to the nearest 10 for statistical analysis and presentation purposes only. 3. Totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not appear to be the sum of their parts. 4. Numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to avoid systematic bias. | |
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