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Social Security (Lone Parents) (Amendment) Regulations 1997: SI Committee's Consideration
Lord Sefton of Garston asked the Leader of the House:
- When the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments considered the Social Security
(Lone Parents) (Amendment) Regulations 1997
(S.I. 1997/1790); and what was the result of that consideration.
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Richard): The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments is a technical scrutiny committee which does not consider the merits or policy of statutory instruments. The Social Security (Lone Parents) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 were considered by the committee in its 10th Report of this Session (H.L. Paper 29). The committee did not draw the special attention of either House to the regulations.
Electricity Generation
Lord Fraser of Carmyllie asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What would be their best estimate of the additional cost on the annual average household fuel bill, for each of the next three years, of maintaining the proportion of electricity created by gas-fired
- generation at 1997 levels and requiring planned increases in gas generation to be replaced by coal.
The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Clinton-Davis): No such estimates have or can be made.
Falkland Islands Garrison
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the annual budget for the defence of the Falkland Islands;
What value or benefit it attaches to the Ministry of Defence's use of the Falkland Islands as an operational and joint services training facility; and
What proportion of the budget spent on Falkland Islands defence it perceives to represent "added value" in terms of, for example, training opportunities not otherwise available in other theatres of Ministry of Defence operation.
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert): The budget for the Falkland Islands garrison is £74 million in the financial year 1997-98.
The purpose of the British military presence in the Falkland Islands is to uphold the right of the Falkland Islanders to determine their own future. While there, British forces take the opportunity to conduct joint land, sea and air exercises in a challenging environment, and the RAF makes full use of the extensive facilities for low flying. This training is however designed to maintain the forces' high level of military preparedness, and is not regarded or costed as separable from their main purpose in being there.
Gulf Veterans: "Rabbit Fever" Vaccinations
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces who served in Operation Granby have "Rabbit Fever" (rabbit peroxinase) entered on their vaccination records; what was the purpose of the vaccine; and what regime is in place to monitor its effects; and
Whether Gulf veterans who have "Rabbit Fever" (rabbit peroxinase) entered onto their vaccine records (B27) have been advised by a Ministry of Defence official that these records will be considered to be forgeries and the holders prosecuted; and what is their response.
Lord Gilbert: In the course of work in the Gulf veterans' illnesses, the Ministry of Defence received a copy of an anonymous vaccination record which appeared to show a vaccination for rabbit fever, also known as tularemia, as one of a set of five vaccinations given on a date in Janaury 1991. The record was passed to MoD officials via a Gulf veterans' group in response to a request by MoD for information about the
implementation of the anti-biological warfare immunisation programme. It had an identifiable signature and unit stamp, which has enabled the medical officer who had apparently administered the five injections to be traced and shown the document. He has confirmed that two entries, for anthrax and pertussis vaccines, are in his handwriting and that he gave these injections; however he has stated that he did not administer any vaccinations against rabbit fever, and that the remaining three entries on the document, which include the one for rabbit fever, are not in his handwriting. It is his belief that these entries have been added subsequently.An unlicensed US vaccine is known to be available against tularemia. So far as the MoD can ascertain, this vaccine was not administered to UK troops during Operation Granby. However, the MoD will continue to investigate this matter as part of its fact finding work to examine the range of routine vaccines which may have been received by certain groups of Service personnel deployed to the Gulf.
The individuals who had originally brought this document to MoD's attention were told that only two of the five vaccination entries were now regarded as genuine during a recent meeting with MoD officials. The MoD believes the document was passed to it in good faith and the matter has not been referred to the police.
Operation Granby: Contaminated Debris
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What research is being conducted into the effect of exposure to depleted uranium and contaminated debris on members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces who served in Operation Granby; and whether any research is being conducted on Iraqi civilians who may have handled the debris after the cessation of hostilities.
Lord Gilbert: In the time available, it has not proved possible to obtain sufficient information properly to answer this Question.
I will write to the noble Countess as soon as our investigations are complete and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Gulf Veterans: Medical Tests
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What tests and medical examinations have been conducted by medical assessment programme doctors on Gulf veterans since the inception of the programme and on what dates any changes were made; and whether they intend to incorporate any new tests into the programme, and if so which.
Lord Gilbert: In the time available, it has not proved possible to obtain sufficient information properly to answer this Question.
I will write to the noble Countess as soon as our investigations are complete and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Depleted Uranium Ammunition: Handling
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What safety instructions have been and are currently issued to members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces and any civilian staff who may be responsible for transport, handling or use of depleted uranium ammunition.
Lord Gilbert: In the time available, it has not proved possible to obtain sufficient information properly to answer this Question.
I will write to the noble Countess as soon as our investigations are complete and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When the Ministry of Defence applied to the Health and Safety Executive for official recommendations, guidance and usage procedures for depleted uranium ammunition.
Lord Gilbert: In the time available, it has not proved possible to obtain sufficient information properly to answer this Question.
I will write to the noble Countess as soon as our investigations are complete and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What training aids or other provisions, before the use of depleted uranium ammunition, were made available to members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces who served in Operation Granby and are currently available, whether for training or combat missions.
Lord Gilbert: In the time available, it has not proved possible to obtain sufficient information properly to answer this Question.
I will write to the noble Countess as soon as our investigations are complete and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether any risk assessment of depleted uranium contamination of British troops has been conducted and, if so, with what results; and if not, why not.
Lord Gilbert: In the time available, it has not proved possible to obtain sufficient information properly to answer this Question.
I will write to the noble Countess as soon as our investigations are complete and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the August 1991 report by the Atomic Energy Authority on the effects of depleted uranium ammunition fragments left in southern Iraq after Operation Granby.
Lord Gilbert: In the time available, it has not proved possible to obtain sufficient information properly to answer this Question.
I will write to the noble Countess as soon as our investigations are complete and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
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