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2 Apr 2009 : Column 1392W—continued
ISAF forces operating in Helmand come from a number of different nations, which often operate closely alongside each other and alongside Afghan army and police units. The environment in which forces are operating makes it extremely difficult precisely to distinguish between incidents initiated by insurgent forces and those initiated by ISAF.
These data are based on information derived from a number of sources and can only be an estimate, not least because of the difficulties in ensuring a consistent interpretation of the basis for collating statistics in a complex fast-moving multinational operational environment.
Armed Forces: Surveys
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent steps his Department has taken in relation to the continuous attitude survey for (a) armed forces families and (b) reserve forces; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the most recent survey reports. [251948]
Mr. Kevan Jones: Each service conducts its own families' survey but the distribution, collection and analysis of the data are not standard across the services. It is our intention to review the families' surveys with the aim of establishing a more consistent method of data collection. The surveys are already available in the Library of the House.
Similarly, the reserves' surveys are separately conducted by each service with the data used to inform each service's personnel policy. Again, the reserves' surveys are not standardised so it can be difficult to get an accurate feel for tri-service issues and trends that may need addressing. It is also our intention to review the reserves' surveys with the aim of establishing a more consistent method of data collection and publication.
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Snatch 2A vehicles have been withdrawn from service outside the wire on operations. [264959]
Mr. Hutton: Senior Operational Commanders have confirmed that there remains a critical need for a light protected patrol vehicle such as the Snatch Land Rover, which can reach areas that are inaccessible to heavier vehicles. The introduction of Snatch Vixen and the procurement of the tactical support vehicles announced in October 2008, will enable us to continue reducing the scope of the Snatch 2A vehicle's role until it is used only within our camps. To comment further would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Arms Trade
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria the Government uses when determining to which countries arms may be sold; and if he will make a statement. [267685]
Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
All export licence applications are considered on a case by case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. The Consolidated Criteria can be viewed on the BERR website at:
Christmas
Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his Department's policy to offer staff (a) additional leave entitlement for Christmas shopping and (b) Christmas bonus payments. [262818]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The MOD does not offer staff additional leave for Christmas shopping or Christmas bonus payments.
Defence Medical Services: Manpower
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) psychologists, (b) psychiatrists, (c) mental health nurses and (d) occupational therapists Defence Medical Services employed in each year since 1997. [257681]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The following table illustrates the trained strength figures in the appropriate specialties:
| DMS civilian staff | DMS military staff | |||
| Occupational therapists( 1) | Psychologists( 2) | Psychiatrists( 3,4) | Mental health nurses( 3,4) | |
| (1) The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court employs civilian occupational therapists (OTs), some of whom have cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) training as part of their overall clinical portfolio. The total numbers of civilian OTs employed in each year are shown. The Defence Medical Services do not employ mental health occupational therapists (MHOTs). Our current community-based mental health provision is occupationally oriented and aims to manage patients in their work/home environment. This is done by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of psychiatrists and mental health nurses, with access to both clinical psychologists and mental health social workers. (2) MOD does not employ uniformed clinical psychologists; the numbers shown are civilians only. (3) Psychiatrist and mental heath nurse numbers shown are for trained military staff only and exclude staff in command staff posts and trained military staff who are studying towards further qualifications. (4) MOD also employs civilian consultant psychiatrists and mental health nurses; as at September 2008, there were 14 civilian psychiatrists and 56 civilian mental health nurses. Historical data is not maintained centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. (5 )Data not available. Note: All data are for year ending April. | ||||
Departmental Public Expenditure
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of his Department’s capital expenditure in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10, (c) 2010-11 and (d) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [268117]
Mr. Hutton: The Government published updated capital DEL in the pre-Budget report in November 2008. This information can be found at the following link:
The figures for the Ministry of Defence provided on page 214 are: (a) 2008-09—£8.0 billion; (b) 2009-10—£8.2 billion; and (c) 2010-11—£8.9 billion.
The Government have not set Department’s capital DEL budgets for beyond 2011-12. Capital DEL budgets for 2011-12 and beyond are a matter for the next spending review. The Government do, however, publish projections for public sector net investment (PSNI) over the forecast period at Budget and pre-Budget reports.
Government Departments: Security
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what security checks his Department undertakes on independent security assessors appointed to positions in (a) the Cabinet Office and (b) other departments. [267977]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The Defence Vetting Agency undertakes national security vetting for employees of a number of Government Departments, not including the Cabinet Office, where appropriate to the needs of those Departments.
NATO: EU Defence Policy
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met the NATO Secretary General to discuss the EU-NATO relations as they relate to defence matters; and if he will make a statement. [266893]
Mr. Hutton: I discussed the importance of NATO-EU co-operation with the NATO’s North Atlantic Council and the Secretary-General on 4 February 2009. In addition, NATO-EU co-operation is regularly discussed at NATO Defence Ministers’ meetings, the most recent of which was on 19-20 February.
Effective NATO-EU relations are essential in order to deliver both capability development and effective operations on the ground. The importance of this co-operation is highlighted in the European Security Strategy and NATO’s Comprehensive Political Guidance.
Nuclear Disarmament
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of France rejoining the military structure of NATO on (a) UK and (b) NATO policy on nuclear disarmament. [267638]
Mr. Hutton: The UK regularly discusses multilateral nuclear disarmament issues with France as well as other NATO nations and nuclear weapon states. I am not aware of any link between France rejoining NATO’s Integrated Military Structure and the UK policy on multilateral nuclear disarmament.
Nuclear Submarines
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what collisions involving a UK nuclear powered submarine and (a) another submarine, (b) another naval vessel, (c) a private vessel and (d) a merchant vessel have taken place since 1979; [265175]
(2) what grounding incidents involving UK nuclear-powered submarines have taken place since 1979. [265177]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Royal Navy has no records of collisions between nuclear powered submarines and other submarines and naval vessels, other than the recent incident involving HMS Vanguard and the French submarine Le Triomphant.
The full list of incidents of collisions involving Royal Navy nuclear powered submarines for which the Royal Navy holds records is as follows:
HMS Superb grounding in the Red Sea in May 2008.
HMS Tireless struck an iceberg while on Arctic Patrol in May 2003.
HMS Trafalgar grounded on Fladda-chuain in November 2002.
HMS Triumph grounded in November 2000.
HMS Victorious grounded, while surfaced, on Skelmorlie Bank in November 2000.
HMS Trenchant grounded off the coast of Australia in July 1997.
HMS Repulse grounded in the North Channel in July 1996.
HMS Trafalgar grounded off the Isle of Skye in July 1996.
HMS Valliant grounded in the North Norwegian Sea in March 1991.
HMS Trenchant snagged the fishing vessel Antares in the Arran Trench in November 1990.
HMS Spartan grounded west of Scotland in October 1989.
HMS Sceptre snagged the fishing vessel Scotia in November 1989.
HMS Conqueror collided with the yacht Dalriada off the Northern Irish coast in July 1988.
All the vessels, apart from HMS Superb, which was decommissioned in October 2008, were repaired and returned to service.
Information is not held centrally for the period 1979-88 and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what fires have taken place on UK nuclear powered submarines since 1979. [265176] [Official Report, 16 September 2009, Vol. 490, c. 40MC.]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The records of fire incidents onboard UK nuclear submarines are not held centrally prior to 1 January 1987. Since this date the Royal Navy records provide the following information:
213 small scale fires, that are categorised as a localised fire such as a minor electrical fault creating smoke dealt with quickly and effectively using minimal onboard resources.
21 medium scale fires that were generally categorised as a localised fire such as a failure of mechanical equipment creating smoke and flame requiring use of significant onboard resources.
Three fires occurred while the submarines involved were in naval bases, requiring both ship and external resources.
RAF Fairford
Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safeguards have been put in place to prevent future fuel spillages by US base authorities at RAF Fairford. [267289]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Fluid level sensors are to be installed in each of the eight pump rooms together with an automated warning system to alert the fuels control room of any problems. The operator procedures will also be altered to ensure that regular visits and inspections of the pump rooms take place.
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