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Iraq: Kuwaiti Prisoners
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 10 April (HL Deb, cols 381–2), whether they have received any information since that date about the fate of more than 600 Kuwaiti prisoners taken by the Iraqis in the first Gulf War. [HL2732]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Unfortunately we still have no further information of the Kuwaiti missing. Once information becomes available and the families involved have been informed, the information will be made public as quickly as possible.
Gulf Veterans' Illnesses
Lord Brookman asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is their response to the publication of the Medical Research Council's review of research into Gulf veterans' illnesses.[HL3018]
The Parliamentry Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach): The Ministry of Defence welcomes publication of the Medical Research Council's review of research into Gulf veterans' illnesses. We are grateful for the work that has gone into the review, which was conducted following a request from the MOD. We have taken particular note of the review's conclusions and recommendations for further research and will study these further in detail. The MOD notes that a number of the recommendations are scientifically complex and will approach the Medical Research Council with a view to holding detailed discussions about how they may be taken forward, the data they are expected to yield and the priorities that should be attached to them. Once this has taken place we will consult veterans and other stakeholders about the way ahead.
Identification Friend or Foe Systems
Lord Vivian asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When the Successor Identification Friend or Foe system will be available for installation in ground attack aircraft, and what progress has been made in the Identification Friend or Foe system for armoured vehicles.[HL2657]
Lord Bach: The Successor Identification Friend or Foe (SIFF) system is planned for installation in Tornado GR4 aircraft by early 2004 and in Harrier GR7/9 aircraft, in conjunction with the GR9 upgrade programme, from 2005. It is not planned to fit it to Jaguar.
In providing for the future technical element of land combat identification, we are exploring a battlefield target identification (BTID) capability that will be compatible with NATO allies. These studies continue to make progress and the first formal investment decision (initial gate) is planned next year.
Lord Vivian asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment is fitted to Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior Armoured Vehicles and Scimitar Reconnaissance Vehicles.[HL2658]
Lord Bach: Combat identification is not delivered by a single system or piece of equipment, but by a combination of tactics and procedures backed up by technology. It would jeopardise operational security to reveal details of the specific equipment fitted to Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior Armoured Vehicles and Scimitar Reconnaissance Vehicles and I am therefore withholding the information under Exemption 1 (Defence, security and international relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I can, however, confirm that the combat identification capability fitted to these vehicles is compatible and comparable with that of the US and is based on NATO standards.
Nuclear Premises
Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Under what regulations the Secretary of State for Defence controls "nuclear premises", which are excluded from the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/403).[HL2783]
Lord Bach: The Secretary of State for Defence controls nuclear premises, which are excluded from the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/403), by means of a Defence Council Directive for the Security of Nuclear Weapons and Special Nuclear Materials. This directive prescribes the minimum mandatory security measures for all defence nuclear materials in storage and transit in Great Britain. I am withholding further details on the directive under Exemption 1a (National security) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The Ministry of Defence exemption to the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/403) was put in place in consultation with the Department of Trade and Industry.
Naval Manning Agency: Key Targets
Lord Brookman asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What key targets have been set for the chief executive of the Naval Manning Agency for the financial year 2003–04.[HL3017]
Lord Bach: Key targets have been set for the chief executive of the Naval Manning Agency for the financial year 2003–04 and are shown below. The targets build upon, and are consistent with, those demanded of the NMA since its vesting in July 1996 and encompass the full range primary outputs demanded of the agency.
Deployment of Naval Service Personnel:
- The percentage of filled officer billets to be: 93 per cent or greater.
- The percentage of filled rating billets to be: 88 per cent or greater.
- The percentage of filled RM other rank billets to be: 86 per cent or greater.
- The percentage of officers receiving the required notice of change to be: 60 per cent or greater.
- The percentage of ratings and RM other ranks receiving the required notice of change to be: 98 per cent or greater.
- The number of occurrences where minimum time ashore criteria are met to be: 99 per cent or greater.
- To operate the NMA within zero to minus 1 per cent of its 2003–04 net cash allocation for operating activities.
- The variation of strength to be: between +1 per cent and ÿ2 per cent.
- To achieve strict control of NMA manpower overheads to within plus or minus 2 per cent of the baseline established for manpower overheads as at 1 October 2002.
- To achieve a Customer Confidence Score of 65.
Iraq: Reservists
Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What plans they have to call-out further Reservists for operations in Iraq.[HL3045]
Lord Bach: In the Written Statement by my right honourable friend the Defence Secretary (Mr Hoon) on 30 April (Official Report, columns 15–16WS) in another place, we announced the call-out of up to 1,200 additional Reservists to support continuing operations within Iraq. This process is currently under way. We also acknowledged that there would be a
further need for Reservists. A requirement for a further 1,500 Reservists has now been confirmed. We have authorised the issue of appropriate call-out notices. These will primarily be deployed, either as formed units or as individual reinforcements to regular units, in support of the Divisional Headquarters and its Logistic Brigade.In parallel, the process to demobilise those Reservists called up for the first phase of operations continues. To date, we have demobilised around 1,100 Reservists who have completed their required tasks. Further Reservists have returned from operations in Iraq and are currently taking the post-operational tour leave to which they are entitled, following which they will also be demobilised.
There will be a continuing role for our Reserve forces in Iraq, but we expect overall numbers of Reservists required to reduce over time. This further call-out demonstrates our continuing commitment to Iraq and to the Iraqi people. In addition, we continue to plan in detail the withdrawal of forces that have completed their operational tour, and the deployment of further replacement forces to continue to fulfil our responsibilities in Iraq. We will inform the House as soon as these plans become firm. We remain determined to help the Iraqis to set the conditions for Iraq's re-emergence as a country that is both politically secure and economically stable.
Driving on a Prohibited Road: Prosecutions
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many offences were prosecuted in the last year for which figures are available for driving on a prohibited road. [HL2683]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): In England and Wales there were 4,831 prosecutions for offences of driving on a prohibited road during 2001 (latest available).
There were no such prosecutions in Northern Ireland during 2000 (latest available).
Matters related to Scotland are for the Scottish Executive.
Secure Training Centres
Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What financial penalties have been imposed on the contractors for (a) Hassockfield, (b) Medway and (c) Rainsbrook secure training centres in each of the last two years; and by how much in respect of each performance measurement.[HL2825]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: In the two years up to 30 April 2003, the financial penalties for contract failures totalled £6,338 in respect of Hassockfield for failure to deliver specified services; and £156,013 in respect of Medway, of which £150,597 was for places unavailable for use and £5,416 for failure to deliver
specified services. Rainsbrook incurred no penalties in that period.
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