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5 Jan 2010 : Column WA1
Written Answers
Tuesday 5 January 2010
Abu Dhabi
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Answer by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 10 November (HL Deb, cols. 676-7), whether they have held further discussions with relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi about the rule of law in that state. [HL667]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead): Since my Answer on 10 November 2009, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not held any further high-level discussions with the authorities in Abu Dhabi about the rule of law. Police co-operation as outlined in my previous Answer continues, and rule of law issues remain relevant to the day-to-day work of our Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Answer by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead on 10 November (HL Deb, cols. 676-7), whether the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has taken forward any proposals for enhancing and protecting the rule of law in Abu Dhabi. [HL668]
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: Further to my Answer on 10 November 2009, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not taken forward proposals for enhancing and protecting the rule of law in Abu Dhabi. Such proposals would need to be raised in the appropriate forum, such as the annual UK/UAE joint ministerial meeting. The next such meeting is due to take place in 2010.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the authorities in Abu Dhabi about outstanding claims by the Al-Ghussein family for the loss of the family's business and property interests. [HL669]
Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not raised the case of the Al-Ghussein family with the authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As the late Mr Al-Ghussein was not a British National, the FCO has no locus to raise this dispute as a consular matter. Nor does the British Government have any authority to get involved in any matters concerning UAE domestic legislation.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will raise with the Government of Abu Dhabi the outstanding claims of the Al-Ghussein family concerning the loss of their property and any threat therefrom to business confidence in Abu Dhabi. [HL670]
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Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: As the late Mr Al-Ghussein was not a British national, the FCO has no locus to raise this dispute as a consular matter. Nor does the British Government have any authority to get involved in any matters concerning UAE domestic legislation.
Afghanistan: Mental Health
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are funding any mental health services in Afghanistan; if so, where; and how much they are funding. [HL692]
Lord Brett: The Department for International Development (DfID) is providing £213,167 over three years (2007-10) to support the healthy mental development of children in western Afghanistan who have lived through war. This programme includes training for social workers and the implementation of a national social work training programme.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the European Union or NATO are supporting mental health services for the Afghan people; if so, where; and at what annual cost. [HL693]
Lord Brett: Details of NATO and the European Union's activities in Afghanistan can be found on their websites:
http://ee.europa.eu/external_relations/afghanistan/index_en.htmhttp://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_8189.htmAgriculture: Maps
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Holbeach
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Minister for Farming and the Environment, Jim Fitzpatrick, on 21 July (Official Report, House of Commons, col. 1167W), what proportion of the errors on completed maps are due to map features being notified incorrectly by farmers; and what proportion are due to problems with the computer system. [HL752]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Davies of Oldham): Of the 7,471 farmers who have completed the update process and received confirmatory maps, 101 farmers have contacted the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to make further mapping changes. Of the confirmed land parcel errors that required changes to be made, 36 were found to be as a result of farmer error and 93 were found to be RPA
5 Jan 2010 : Column WA3
Armed Forces: Ballistic Sensor Fused Munitions
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government when ballistic sensor fused munitions will be available for use on the battlefield. [HL762]
The Minister for International Defence and Security (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): The planned in-service date for the ballistic sensor fused munition is 2012. This is, however, subject to an internal review which is expected to conclude shortly.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what testing they will undertake on ballistic sensor fused munitions before use on the battlefield. [HL763]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: A full qualification programme is planned for the ballistic sensor fused munition. This is standard practice for gun-fired munitions.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the manufacturers of ballistic sensor fused munitions regarding their ability to remain on the ground and cause damage to civilians after hostilities. [HL764]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: Detailed discussions have taken place to understand the risks posed by unexploded sub-munitions from the ballistic sensor fused munitions. The sub-munitions have a self destruct mechanism designed to activate if a target is not located. If the self-destruct mechanism fails, the sub-munition is designed to power down so that it cannot be inadvertently detonated.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the manufacturer of ballistic sensor fused munitions is a British company; and, if so, what export restrictions will be imposed upon that weapon. [HL765]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: A contract to procure the UKs ballistic sensor fused munition capability is in place with Gesellschaft für Intelligente Wirksysteme mbH (GIWS). This is a joint venture between Rheinmetall Defence and Diehl BGT Defence and is based in Germany.
5 Jan 2010 : Column WA4
Armed Forces: Costs
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government why Question for Written Answer HL5965 about the cost of the United Kingdom's operations in certain countries, tabled on 23 October and due for answer by 6 November, was not answered by the end of the session on 12 November. [HL684]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the cost to public funds in each of the last five years of the United Kingdom's operations (including all three services) in (a) Iraq, (b) Afghanistan, (c) Cyprus, (d) Northern Ireland, (e) Germany, and (f) the Falkland Islands; and what is the budget for the current year. [HL685]
The Minister for International Defence and Security (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): The Minister for Strategic Defence Acquisition Reform, Lord Drayson, gave the noble Lord this Answer on 12 November. Unfortunately, this answer was not printed in Hansard.
The costs of UK military activity in 2004-05 to 2009-10 for each location is provided in the following table:
| £ Million | ||||||
| FY 2004-05(1) | FY 2005- 06 (1) | FY 2006-07(1) | FY 2007- 08 (1) | FY 2008- 09 (1) | FY 2009- 10 (2) | |
- 2. The figures reflect estimated spend for Afghanistan and Iraq as outlined in the Winter Supplementary Estimates. These will be reviewed as required through the Spring Supplementary Estimates process.
The net additional costs of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are met from the reserve and do not include basic pay, pension and other costs not resulting from operational deployment.
Figures for the tri-Service garrison in the Falkland Islands include costs associated with pay for locally employed civilians, utilities, white fleet vehicle leasing and fuel, catering leisure and retail activities stores, and the British Forces Health Service. These figures do not include military equipment, military personnel pay, service children's education facilities, estate works and maintenance, IT and communication, maritime visits or air charter; costs associated with these activities are met by other top level budget holders. The reason for the lower figures in the most recent years is due to a change in MoD accounting policy, under which fixed asset depreciation costs and the cost of capital on fixed assets is recorded elsewhere.
5 Jan 2010 : Column WA5
Figures for headquarters British Forces in Cyprus include costs associated with pay for locally employed civilians, utilities, white fleet vehicle leasing and fuel, catering leisure and retail activities stores, and the British Forces Health Service. The figures do not include military equipment, military personnel pay, service children's education facilities, estate works and maintenance, IT and communication, or air charter.
Figures for the British Forces in Germany include costs associated with pay for locally employed civilians, utilities, white fleet vehicle leasing and fuel, catering leisure and retail activities stores and the British Forces Health Service. The figures do not include costs associated with military equipment, military personnel pay, service children's' education, estate works and maintenance, or IT and communications. The reduction from 2004-05 to 2005-06 relates to transfer of works funding to Defence Estates.
Figures for Northern Ireland include costs associated with pay for locally employed civilians and Territorial Army, utilities, white fleet vehicle leasing and fuel. The figures do not include costs associated with military equipment, military personnel pay, estate works and maintenance, or IT and communications. The reduction from 2004-05 to 2005-06 relates to transfer of works funding to defence estates.
Armed Forces: Depleted Uranium
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the Rule 43 report of HM Coroner for the Black Country District of 18 September in the case of Stuart Raymond Dyson deceased; and what action they propose to prevent further deaths from ingestion of, or exposure to, depleted uranium by military and civilian personnel in areas of conflict. [HL724]
The Minister for International Defence and Security (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): I will place a copy of the department's response to the Coroner for the Black Country District's Rule 43 report in the Library of the House.
In line with reports by independent expert bodies including the Royal Society, International Atomic Energy Agency and World Health Organisation it is the Government's view that depleted uranium (DU) is both weakly radioactive and chemically toxic to about the same extent as lead.
In relation to the use of DU munitions we base our risk assessments on the best available scientific advice and routinely monitor developments in the scientific literature.
Armed Forces: Helicopters
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the decision to upgrade the Puma helicopter has taken the time that it has. [HL775]
5 Jan 2010 : Column WA6
The Minister for International Defence and Security (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): The demonstration and manufacture phase contract for the Puma life extension programme was placed with Eurocopter UK on 18 September this year. Prior to this a full range of options were evaluated to determine an affordable technical solution that could be delivered in time to meet future capability requirements and provide value for money. Feasibility studies, risk reduction and commercial negotiations were undertaken to mature the programme to a point where the contract could be placed with confidence in its ability to deliver and its price.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the time taken to decide on further purchases of Chinook helicopters was due to needing to negotiate places on the Boeing Chinook production line; and when they expect the production of the new Chinooks to begin. [HL776]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The Secretary of State for Defence announced on 15 December a new strategy to deliver helicopter capability, including the acquisition of 22 new Chinook helicopters. Negotiations with Boeing are ongoing, and will inform investment decisions during 2010, to ensure the earliest possible deliveries. Subject to this, we expect delivery of 10 new-build Chinooks during the course of 2012 and 2013.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Royal Air Force will be equipped with Chinook and Puma helicopters for urban and tasking special forces. [HL777]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: Royal Air Force support helicopters are used in a variety of different roles and environments. We will continue to provide this support into the future using appropriate equipment, making any changes in line with the needs of the operation. It is a long-standing policy of the Ministry of Defence not to comment on UK special forces issues.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Royal Navy will be equipped with an all-Merlin helicopter force to allow it to return to a littoral role. [HL778]
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