Parliamentary Answers – to 22 July 2011

This is a regular round up of Parliamentary questions and answers from ministers relevant to defence issues In addition to oral questions, MPs and Peers can ask government ministers questions for written answer. These are often used to obtain detailed information about policies and statistics on the activities of government departments. In the House of Commons ‘ordinary’ questions do not have to be answered on a specific date. An MP will date a written question for two days after they have tabled it (ie, submitted it for answer via the Table Office). The convention is that the MP can expect it to be answered within seven days of the question being tabled.

Question

Andrew Rosindell (Romford, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what the most recent date was on which HMS Ark Royal went to sea with its Harrier aircraft; how many Harrier aircraft were on board; how many pilots of such aircraft were qualified to (a) land on and (b) take off from an aircraft carrier during (i) daylight and (ii) darkness; and how many sorties were flown;

(2) how many pilots of Harrier aircraft were qualified to (a) land on and (b) take off from an aircraft carrier during (i) daylight and (ii) darkness on 12 May 2011.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

The most recent occasion on which HMS Ark Royal went to sea with Harrier GR9 aircraft embarked was on 19 November 2010. A total of four aircraft from 800 Naval Air Squadron and one (Fighter) Squadron Royal Air Force embarked the ship, and disembarked on24 November, off the coast of Newcastle. No sorties were flown. Eight pilots were onboard the ship throughout this period: all were qualified to land and take off from the aircraft carrier during daylight and one was night qualified.

Following the withdrawal from service of the Harrier force announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, Joint Force Harrier disbanded on 15 December 2010. By 12 May 2011, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force ex-Harrier pilots had been transferred to undertake alternative positions within their respective services.

 

 

Question

Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons eight ships were refused entry into Libyan ports under NATO’s Operation Unified Protector.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

From 31 Marchto 7 July 2011the NATO Operation Unified Protector, working closely with the shipping industry, has denied nine vessels entry or exit from Libyan ports in order to enforce the arms embargo established by UN Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011), modified by UN Security Council Resolution 1973 (2011).

 

Question

Caroline Dinenage (Gosport, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel are currently stationed or deployed in Italy.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

holding answer14 July 2011

The number of service personnel deployed or stationed in Italy as at11 July 2011are given in the following table.

	Number of service personnel (1)
Gioia Dell Colle, Italy	550
Trapani, Italy	150
Poggio Renatico, Italy	50
Naples, Italy	100
Other(2)	501

(1 )Rounded to the nearest 50 personnel. (2 )Includes Defence Section personnel in support of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other standing liaison officer roles.

The precise number of personnel overseas fluctuates on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces, visits and a range of other factors. We do not, therefore, publish actual figures for personnel deployed.

 

 

Question

Andrew Rosindell (Romford, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider deploying Harrier aircraft for operations in Afghanistan.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

The Harrier fleet has been withdrawn from service and there are therefore no plans to deploy Harrier aircraft for operations in Afghanistan.

 

Question

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Harrier aircraft have been sold since the conclusion of the Strategic Defence and Security Review; to whom; and for what price.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

No Harrier aircraft have been sold. Disposal options are currently being considered but no decisions have yet been made.

 

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate how much of the (a) equipment support plan and (b) equipment plans budgets were spent in (i) the UK, (ii) England, (iii) Wales, (iv) Northern Ireland and (v) Scotland in each of the last five years.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

holding answer4 July 2011

Estimated direct Ministry of Defence (MOD) expenditure on equipment, including equipment support, for two of the last five years for which data are available for the UK, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland are presented in the following table. These use a wider definition of equipment expenditure than employed in the MOD equipment and equipment support plans.

£ million inclusive of non-recoverable VAT at current prices
	2006-07	2007-08
United Kingdom	10,320	10,660
England	9,620	9,900
Scotland	520	510
Wales	120	30
Northern Ireland	60	120
Note: Figures rounded to nearest £10 million

Estimates of MOD direct regional expenditure on equipment and non-equipment have not been produced since 2007-08 as they do not support MOD policy or operations. The MOD continues to report overall expenditure on procurement in the UK Defence Statistics, available on the following website:

http://www.dasa.mod.uk

A copy is available in the Library of the House.

This annual report presents the MOD procurement of goods and services in the UK by industry sector in Table 1.11, and estimates of aggregate MOD equipment procurement expenditure in Table 1.4.

 

 

Question

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the monetary value is of urgent operational requirements (UOR) for Libya; and to what equipment each UOR relates.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

To date, only two urgent operational requirements (UORs) have been approved for Libya. The first was for the procurement of two Litening III Laser Designator Pods for use on Typhoon aircraft. Procurement of these pods was brought forward as a UOR due to the emergent need but, are being funded by the core equipment budget as the cost of £3.12 million had already been planned. The second was for the extension of the Digimap system that has been successfully used in Operation Herrick at a cost of £200,000 provided through the reserve.

 

 

Question

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost has been of urgent operational requirements in each theatre of engagement since the conclusion of the strategic defence and security review.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

From 1 October 2010, no spending has been approved for urgent operational requirements (UORs) in the northern Gulf. For Libya, a total of £3.12 million has been approved on UOR equipment procurement, with funding from the core equipment budget and £0.2 million from the Treasury Reserve. For Afghanistan, a total of £645.5 million has been approved for UORs.

 

 

Question

Menzies Campbell (North East Fife, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the RAF basing review will take into account his Department’s obligations in respect of the New Employment Model; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

The New Employment Model is still in development and will be progressively implemented over the period 2015 to 2025. The potential implications are a key factor in the basing review work under way.

 

 

Question

Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new entry officer cadets there were at (a) Dartmouth, (b) Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and (c) Cranwell in each of the last 10 years.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

holding answer12 July 2011

The number of new entry officer cadets entering the service academies in each of the last 10 years is presented in the following tables:

Intake
	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth	413	393	367	300	345	321	386	408	322	419

Intake
	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst	682	702	746	719	735	721	712	707	696	771
RAF College Cranwell	—	—	705	411	500	530	610	806	611	343
Notes: 1. Royal Navy figures are presented by calendar year. The Armyand RAF data are presented by financial year. 2. RAF statistics of the intake to the RAF College Cranwell before 2003-04 are not available.

 

Question

Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent in each cost category on representation and related costs in relation to judicial reviews relating to inquests in each year since 2006-07.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

Since 2006-07, there have been two judicial reviews arising from inquests into the deaths of members of the armed forces, those involving the deaths of Private Jason Smith and Cpl Dewi Pritchard. The Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s legal costs, spread over several years, totalled £308,812.00. In the Smith case the MOD also paid the claimant’s costs of £456,729.87.

 

Question

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the public purse of the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft project has been to date; what estimate he has made of the final cost of the project; and what assessment he has made of the operational capability of the aircraft.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

The cost to the public purse to date for the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft project is £53 million. That includes expenditure in the assessment phase and the current support phase cost.

The current forecast whole life cost is £12 billion; that includes the private finance initiative (PFI) contract cost, and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) costs such as fuel and RAF manpower that fall outside the PFI contract.

The flexibility within the contract allows the MOD to optimise value for money by exploiting the aircraft to the utmost. We are also investigating options with international partners on how best to utilise any spare capacity.

The first two Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft, Airbus A330-200, converted to military specification are currently undergoing ground and flight testing ahead of the first aircraft coming into service later this year. The A330-200 is a modern aircraft delivering high levels of capability, reliability, flexibility and economy. It will provide the air-to-air refuelling and the passenger air transport capability that is currently provided by the Royal Air Force’s fleet of VC10 and TriStar aircraft. The Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft will also be capable of providing aeromedical evacuation of personnel.

 

 

Question

im Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service children are in receipt of continuity education allowance.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

holding answer14 July 2011

A total of 9,080 children of service personnel were beneficiaries of continuity of education allowance in financial year 2010-11.

 

 

Question

Graeme Morrice (Livingston, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what exit strategy has been determined for British troops serving in Libya.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

UK forces, under NATO command, have been at the forefront of Operation Unified Protector, enforcing United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973. The operation will continue until the Libyan regime ceases to use violence against its own people.

 

 

Question

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what (a) equipment and (b) supplies have been procured through urgent operational requirements since the conclusion of the Strategic Defence and Security Review;

(2) which (a) manufacturers and (b) suppliers have fulfilled an urgent operational requirement since the conclusion of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

Since October 2010, a range of equipments have been procured as urgent operational requirements (UORs). These UORs cover a broad spectrum of capabilities including: military working dogs complete with their specialist requirements (health, welfare, protection and veterinary needs); improved service recovery vehicle (protected mobility); increased aero medical capacity; improved helicopter engines; counter-improvised explosive device task force uplift; improved digital mapping and aircraft protection systems. The contracts have been placed with a number of companies, including BAES, Agusta Westland, MP Aerospace, Guartel, SELEX, WA Products, Rolls Royce, Honeywell and Thales Air Defence Ltd.

Specific details of the UORs are being withheld, as their disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

 

 

Question

Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many citizens of each Commonwealth country have (a) applied to enlist and (b) enlisted in the armed forces in the latest year for which figures are available.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

holding answer18 July 2011

The information requested is provided in the following table. Please note that a direct correlation should not be drawn between the applicant and entrant figures; those listed as entrants may have applied in a previous year while those applying in the period given may not have entered the services until a later date or at all.

2010-11
	Naval Service applications	Naval Service entrants	Army applications	Army entrants	RAF applications	RAF entrants
Antigua	1	—	1	1	—	—
Australia	16	4	11	3	1	—
Bahamas	1	—	—	—	—	—
Bangladesh	1	—	7	1	1	—
Barbados	—	—	1	—	—	—
Bermuda	—	—	1	—	—	—
Botswana	—	—	2	2	—	—
Cameroon	1	—	19	6	—	—
Canada	15	3	7	3	—	—
Cyprus	1	—	1	—	—	—
Dominica	7	—	—	3	—	—
Fiji	60	13	58	30	1	—
Gambia	20	2	60	34	—	—
Ghana	14	—	143	65	1	—
Grenada	8	—	8	3	—	—
Guyana	2	1	—	3	—	—
India	12	—	54	14	1	—
Jamaica	22	1	32	15	2	—
Kenya	9	3	34	28	1	—
Malawi	1	1	26	24	—	—
Malaysia	—	—	1	—	1	—
Malta	—	—	3	2	—	—
Mauritius	1	—	8	7	1	—
New Zealand	8	4	13	9	—	—
Namibia	1	—	—	—	—	—
Nigeria	36	2	71	24	1	1
Pakistan	6	—	8	2	—	—
Papua New Guinea	—	—	1	1	—	—
Rwanda	1	—	1	—	—	—
Seychelles	1	—	4	2	—	—
Sierra Leone	—	1	7	5	—	—
South Africa	78	29	85	69	3	—
Sri Lanka	4	—	3	2	2	1
St Helena	—	—	1	2	—	—
St Lucia	3	—	11	3	1	—
St Vincent	64	9	18	4	—	—
Swaziland	2	—	—	—	—	—
Tanzania	1	—	4	3	—	—
Trinidad	10	1	2	—	2	—
Uganda	5	—	16	8	1	—

Zambia	6	1	—	4	—	—
Zimbabwe	28	3	—	8	3	—

 

Question

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what urgent operational requirements are currently outstanding; and when he expects them to be delivered.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

As at 15 July 2011, there were 213 urgent operational requirement (UOR) projects that have been approved, and have yet to be delivered to theatre. They mainly fall into four broad categories: counter improvised explosive device systems (detection and defeating the device); improved protected mobility (for example, the foxhound vehicles); information management and information exploitation systems; and base protection intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) systems. The Ministry of Defence undertakes to deliver all UORs to theatre as quickly as possible, usually within 12-18 months, however, some procurements take only a matter of weeks.

Specific details of the UORs and delivery time scales are being withheld as their disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

 

Question

Jim Cunningham (Coventry South, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he plans to take to maintain security levels in Afghanistan during the transfer of combat duties to Afghan security forces in 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

Liam Fox (Secretary of State, Defence; North Somerset, Conservative)

holding answer18 July 2011

The transfer of lead security responsibility across Afghanistan to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is a process that will be complete by the end of 2014. As this process continues, coalition forces, along with Afghan forces, will continue operations to protect the population and degrade the insurgent threat.

We are confident that, by the end of 2014, the ANSF will be capable of preventing terrorist organisations from again using Afghanistan as a base from which to threaten the UK’s national security.

 

 

Question

Kevan Jones (North Durham, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel are attached to the Royal Household; and at what cost.

Answer

Andrew Robathan (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans), Defence; South Leicestershire, Conservative)

In order to provide service knowledge and assistance to six members of the royal family in their service appointments, 13 members of the armed forces are permanently attached to the royal household at a total cost of approximately £960,000 per annum.

 

Question

Andrew Rosindell (Romford, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent with (a) EDS Defence and (b) Aegis Defence Services in each year from 1997 to 2010.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

Payments made by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to EDS Defence Ltd and Aegis Defence Services since 1998-99 are shown in the following tables (information for 1997-98 is no longer available):

Financial year	Payments to EDS Defence Ltd (£ million)
1998-99	141
1999-2000	116
2000-01	118
2001-02	144
2002-03	179
2003-04	181
2004-05	201
2005-06	336
2006-07	570
2007-08	634
2008-09	775
2009-10	818
2010-11	783

Financial year	Payments to Aegis Defence Services (£)
1998-99 to 2007-08	Nil
2008-09	5,000
2009-10	6,000
2010-11	1,000

Figures are at current prices and exclude VAT.

The payments reported have been extracted from the MOD’s central contracts database on which is recorded the majority (about 95%) of all MOD payments. Payments not processed centrally are not included and may have been made on behalf of other Government Departments, by the MOD’s Trading Funds and Executive Non-Departmental Bodies (which lie outside the MOD’s accounting boundary), locally by the Department, through third parties such as prime contractors or other Government Departments and in relation to collaborative, projects where the payments are made through international procurement agencies or overseas governments.

From 2004-05, the individual subsidiaries and joint ventures relating to EDS Defence Ltd have been reproduced from the corporate structures published in Table 1.17a of UK Defence Statistics. We have used the Hewlett Packard corporate structure for 2008-09 onwards following their take over of EDS. When this occurs during the financial year, annual payments are recorded against the company taking ownership of the contract.

Figures before 2004-05 may not reflect the full holding company structure for EDS Defence Ltd owing to data limitations.

 

 

Question

Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to page 36 of the National Audit Office’s report on Carrier Strike, HC 1092, what his policy is on the conclusions in respect of air-to-air refuelling.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

holding answer18 July 2011

Work is under way to assess the most cost-effective means of providing an embarked air-to-air refuelling capability in support of the Department’s future Carrier Strike capability.

We anticipate completing this work by March 2012 and will use its output to inform future decisions on the Carrier Strike programme.

 

 

Question

Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have participated in Operation Ellamy since 18 March 2011; and how many are presently participating in the operation.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

holding answer19 July 2011

Information on the number of service personnel who have participated in Operation Ellamy since18 March 2011is not readily accessible from our systems. The number of service personnel deployed overseas in support of Operation Ellamy at 0600hrs on18 July 2001was 2,071.

 

Question

Kevan Jones (North Durham, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his latest estimate is of the cost to his Department of Joint Strike Fighter per aircraft; and when he expects the aircraft to be delivered.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

The cost of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will be known at its main investment decision point. Publishing any details prior to this point would prejudice the commercial interests of MOD. The UK’s first JSF is due to be delivered in 2012 to allow the UK to train pilots prior to operational test.

 

 

Question

Michael Dugher (Barnsley East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what the monetary value was of urgent operational requirements made by each of the armed forces in each of the last five years;

(2) how much was spent on urgent operational requirements for (a) fuel, (b) munitions, (c) equipment, (d) upgrades, (e) maintenance and (f) transport in each of the last five years.

Answer

Peter Luff (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Defence Equipment, Support and Technology), Defence; Mid Worcestershire, Conservative)

The urgent operational requirement (UOR) process is specific to equipment procurement programmes and does not contribute toward, for example, expenditure on fuel or maintenance. The total approved funding through the UOR process in each of the last five financial years (FY) was £790 million for FY 2006-07, £1,550 million for FY 2007-08, £1,400 million for FY 2008-09, £840 million for FY 2009-10 and £1,130 million for FY 2010-11. Expenditure is not recorded separately by armed service and certain programmes may provide equipment for more than one.

 

Question

David Crausby (Bolton North East, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department receives any financial contributions from the United States for use of the sovereign bases in Cyprus.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

holding answer19 July 2011

A United States Air Force detachment is based at RAF Akrotiri. They are charged for the use of buildings and the utilities they consume. Other US forces who use the sovereign base areas for one-off purposes are charged on a case by case basis.

 

 

Question

Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel at each rank in each service have been operating within the landmass, airspace and territorial waters of Libya consistent with eligibility for the operational allowance since 18 March 2011; and how many are operating within that space at present.

Answer

Nick Harvey (Minister of State (Armed Forces), Defence; North Devon, Liberal Democrat)

holding answer19 July 2011

The breakdown of service personnel eligible for the ELLAMY operational allowance since18 Marchis not held in the format requested. The breakdown by individual service is being withheld as its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed services. The tri-service breakdown by rank as at15 July 2011is provided in the following table:

	Tri-service equivalent ranks	Total
Officers
OF4	Commander / Lieutenant Colonel / Wing Commander	4
OF3	Lieutenant Commander / Major / Squadron Leader	8
OF2	Lieutenant / Captain / Flight Lieutenant	33
Other ranks
OR7	Chief Petty Officer / Staff Sergeant / Flight Sergeant / Chief Technician	1
OR6	Petty Officer /Sergeant / Sergeant	2
OR4	Leading Rate / Corporal / Corporal	1
OR2	Able Seaman 1st Class / Private (Classes 1-3) / Junior Technician / Senior Aircraftman	3

The numbers can vary, for example, as naval units move into and out of Libyan territorial waters.

 

 

Statements

Lord Strathclyde (Leader of the House of Lords, House of Lords; Conservative)

My right honourable friend the Prime Minister has made the following Statement

I am announcing that the following Machinery of Government changes will take effect from today:

the Government Property Unit will report directly to the Minister for the Cabinet Office and become part of the Efficiency and Reform Group within the Cabinet Office; andHM Land Registry, the Met Office and Ordnance Survey will move from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Communities and Local Government respectively to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Explanatory notes will be published in the normal way.