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Terrorism Act 2000 (Information) Order 2002: Schedule 7
Lord Skelmersdale asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which, if any, part of Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act (Information) Order 2002 has yet been brought into effect.[HL1142]
Lord Filkin: Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (Information) Order 2002 came into force on 22 August 2002. However, routine use of the powers will not be made until the consultation on implementation of the powers has been completed. The powers have been used on a limited localised basis where there has been an operational need. This has been carried out with the full co-operation of the carriers concerned.
RAF Fylingdales
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the policy statement by the Secretary of State for Defence in July 2000, which committed the Ministry of Defence to follow the planning system as closely as possible, will apply to any upgrading of RAF Fylingdales as proposed in the department's discussion paper on missile defence (or otherwise); whether and in what ways the North York Moors National Park Authority will have a role in this process; and whether and in what ways there will be public consultation over any such proposals; and[HL1002]
Whether any proposals for the upgrading of RAF Fylingdales as proposed in the Ministry of Defence consultation paper on missile defence (or otherwise) will be the subject of a full environmental impact assessment; and to the major development test set out in paragraph 4.5 of Planning Guidance PPG7.[HL1003]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach): In my statement to the House on 15 January, I indicated that the Government have come to the preliminary conclusion that they should agree to the request by the United States to upgrade the facilities at RAF Fylingdales for missile defence purposes. We believe that the work involved (essentially internal modifications to the radar and communications buildings) will not amount to development within its definition in the planning Acts or PPG7, and therefore will not require any formal planning consultation. We are, however, in touch with the North Yorks Moors National Park Authority, as the relevant local planning authority, and have undertaken to provide it with full evidence to substantiate this case as it becomes available.
Temporary Deployable Accommodation
Lord Naseby asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether it is their policy to ensure that the Defence Procurement Agency provide a compliant shelter for the temporary deployable accommodation needs for urgent operational requirements.[HL1031]
Lord Bach: All temporary deployable accommodation will be fully compliant with our requirements.
Lord Naseby asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether it is their policy to maximise United Kingdom content in the purchase of temporary deployable accommodation for urgent operational requirements.[HL1032]
Lord Bach: Procurement of temporary deployable accommodation is fully consistent with the defence industrial policy announced in October 2002. This policy is rooted in value for money and competition, while taking account of the wider benefits for the United Kingdom as a whole.
Lord Naseby asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Ministry of Defence's own specialists and experts, having assessed external submissions, have recommendations for both urgent operational requirements and temporary deployable accommodation.[HL1034]
Lord Bach: External submissions, in the form of responses to invitations to tender, are fully assessed
by Ministry of Defence officials who then make recommendations.
Service Personnel: Immunisation Programme
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government
Whether the immunisation programme for troops now deploying to the Gulf is consistent with the findings so far of the study now being undertaken at Porton Down of the interactions in relation to the multiple immunisation programme adopted for troops involved in the Gulf War.[HL1063]
Lord Bach: The Defence Scientific and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down is studying whether the combination of vaccines and tablets used to protect United Kingdom personnel during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict can give rise to adverse health effects. We plan to publish interim findings on the short-term effects of vaccine and pyridostigmine bromide on marmosets in the next few months.
We have acknowledged that the 1990–91 Gulf conflict revealed shortcomings in medical preparedness. A number of personnel were not up to date with their standard service immunisations. We have since modified our policy guidance to ensure that all troops are immunised routinely. Additional checks have been introduced to ensure personnel are up to
date with their immunisations, therefore it should not be necessary to administer several immunisations on deployment.For those service personnel who are not up to date with their immunisations, as with any medical treatment, the offer of immunisation would take full account of any other treatment or medication an individual might be receiving at the same time.
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government
- Whether they expect, as troops now deploy to the Gulf, an interim report from the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research at Porton Down on its study of the safety or otherwise of the multiple immunisation programme adopted for troops.[HL1064]
Lord Bach: It is the Defence Scientific and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down rather than the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research which is studying whether the combination of vaccines and tablets used to protect United Kingdom personnel during the 1990–91 Gulf conflict can give rise to adverse health effects. We plan to publish interim findings on the short-term effects of vaccines and pyridostigmine bromide on marmosets within the next few months.
Heavy Equipment Transporter
Earl Attlee asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How the in-cab noise level of the Oshkosh heavy equipment transporter (HET) compares to: (a) MAN contender for the HET project; (b) Unipower MH8875; (c) in-service Scammell Commander; and (d) relevant European Union directives.[HL1082]
Lord Bach: All bidders for the heavy equipment transporter (HET) contract were required to offer solutions capable of meeting all relevant United Kingdom and EU legislation, which includes prescribed limits for in-cab noise levels. The in-cab noise level in the HET will be measured as part of the UK and EU vehicle approval process. The Ministry of Defence does not have access to this information for the MAN or Unipower vehicles and no data exists for the current Scammell Commander transporter.
Wheeled Tanker Fleet
Earl Attlee asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which manufacturer has been selected as a preferred bidder for the Army's wheeled tanker fleet.[HL1083]
Lord Bach: I announced the selection of the Oshkosh Truck Corporation as preferred bidder to supply the new fleet of wheeled tankers to the Army on 10 January 2003.
Royal Air Force Regiment
The Earl of Mar and Kellie asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the role and complement of the Royal Air Force Regiment is expanding or contracting.[HL1143]
Lord Bach: Since the implementation of the measures set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the role and complement of the RAF Regiment has not changed.
Strategic Rail Authority
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- For each board meeting of the Strategic Rail Authority during 2002 (a) what was the date of the Meeting; (b) where the Meeting was held; and (c) how many board members attended in person. [HL1172]
The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Election Material: Post Office Box Numbers
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 10 December 2002 (WA 19), when the discussions with the Electoral Commission have taken place or will take place; and whether they are in a position to report on the outcome.[HL1053]
The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Astbal): Officials in my department will be writing to the Electoral Commission shortly to seek their view on whether a Post Office box number meets the imprint requirements for election material, I will write to you once we have the outcome of our joint consideration.
Hunting: Welfare of Dogs and Horses
Lord Henley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether and how the welfare implications of dogs and horses currently involved in hunting have been considered should a ban be enacted; and whether they have considered evidence from the National Canine Defence League, the Kennel Club and the International League for the Protection of Horses.[HL1160]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): It is not possible to predict the precise impact of the Hunting Bill because the main provisions establish a process for deciding the future of hunting rather than deciding it directly.
My right honourable friend has considered all the evidence—including that of the National Canine Defence League, Kennel Club and International League for the Protection of Horses—submitted during the six-month consultation, including the three days of hearings held in public at Portcullis House in September 2002.
Where the activity is banned absolutely, as in the case of deer hunting and hare coursing, it would be prudent of the owners who are responsible for the welfare of their dogs and horses, and other interested parties, to plan for that eventuality.
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