Parliamentary Answers – to 9th 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

Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has set a date to dispose of (a) the Met Office, (b) the UK Hydrographic Office and (c) the Base Repair and Maintenance Organisations.

Answer

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

As announced in the strategic defence and security review, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) intends to sell the Defence Support Group, which incorporates the former Army Base Repair Organisation and Defence Aviation Repair Agency, by no later than the end of the current spending review period, March 2015. The MOD currently has no plans to privatise the Met Office or UK Hydrographic Office.

 

 

Question

ord Laird (Crossbench)

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.

Answer

Baroness Rawlings (Whip, House of Lords; Conservative)

Initiatives are being organised by a number of national and regional military museums to mark the occasion, including the National Army Museum and relevant regimental museums, which come under the remit of the Ministry of Defence. There is also likely to be some commemorative activity at associated heritage sites such as Apsley House, the home of the Duke of Wellington, and Walmer Castle.

 

 

 

Question

Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of soldiers required to be fully parachute trained; and how many soldiers are in receipt of parachute pay.

Answer

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

The Strategic Defence and Security Review included a commitment for a high-readiness, light, short-duration intervention capability, organised and trained for parachute and air assault operations. This will result in a reduction in the number of posts requiring a parachute qualification. Details of the timing and implementation of any changes are still being worked through.

As at 31 May 2011, 2,790 soldiers were in receipt of special pay parachute.

Question

Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) cost and (b) establishment by numbers of (i) Land Command, (ii) Navy Command and (iii) Air Command (A) is for 2011-12 and (B) was in each of the last five years.

Answer

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

The estimated cost for financial year 2011-12 and personnel strength, civilian and military, as at 1 April 2011 for Top Level Budget (TLB) holders in Land Command, Navy Command and Air Command are shown in the following table:

	Land Command	Navy Command	Air Command
Total departmental expenditure limit (£ million)	7,030	2,332	2,778
Personnel strength	127,540	37,580	41,950

This does not include the cost of operations.

The financial outturn and personnel strengths, civilian and military, for each of the five last years for TLB holders in Land Command, Navy Command and Air Command are shown in the following tables:

Outturn by financial year total departmental expenditure limit
£ million
	Land Command	Navy Command	Air Command
2006-07	6,297	2,148	2,686
2007-08	6,504	2,185	2,635
2008-09	6,724	2,185	2,733
2009-10	6,635	2,223	2,812
2010-11	7,273	2,303	2,837

The 2010-11 figures have not been audited, final figures will be provided in the 2010-11 departmental annual report and accounts. This does not include the cost of operations.

Personnel strength	Land Command	Navy Command	Air Command
1 April 2007	125,230	39,640	36,250
1 April 2008	127,380	37,740	43,400
1 April 2009	126,960	37,780	43,840
1 April 2010	130,840	38,340	44,380

During the periods shown a number of TLBs merged; where this is the case the data have been combined.

Data for 2006 are not held in the format required.

Question

Patrick Mercer (Newark, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effects of civilian redundancies within the Ministry of Defence Police on its capacity to provide security and policing to his Department’s estates and property.

Answer

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

A range of options that will define the Ministry of Defence (MOD)’s future requirement for civil policing capabilities and services are currently under consideration. No final decisions have yet been taken, but we will continue to maintain effective and proportionate levels of security at all our sites to safeguard our people, assets and information.

The current voluntary early release scheme for civilian staff in the MOD is intended to avoid the need for redundancies. Applications for early release that are submitted by MOD police officers will be considered in the context of ensuring that the future operational effectiveness of the force is not adversely affected.

Question

Hywel Williams (Arfon, Plaid Cymru)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what his most recent estimate is of the number of RAF redundancies that will be made in each category of position in each year of the comprehensive spending review period;

(2) what assessment he has made of the likelihood that RAF personnel who have been made redundant will be re-employed on a future date in their previous roles.

Answer

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

holding answer 27 June 2011

It is estimated that there will be up to 1,020 service personnel issued with a letter of redundancy in September 2011 as part of the current phase of the RAF’s redundancy programme. Those personnel notified of their redundancy will leave the RAF in either February or August 2012. Further redundancy measures will be determined once the outcome of the current phase has been fully assessed, but it is expected that the total number of RAF redundancies will be approximately 3,000 by 31 August 2013.

Individuals who are made redundant may apply to re-join the RAF through normal channels, subject to appropriate vacancies being available.

 

 

 

Question

Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) who the partners in the Taranis Project are; and what the timetable is for the project;

(2) how many unmanned combat air vehicle projects his Department is engaged in; and with which partners it is so engaged;

(3) what progress his Department has made together with its French counterparts on the development of an unmanned combat air vehicle.

Answer

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

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is undertaking work on the Taranis technology demonstrator in partnership with a BAE Systems led industry team comprising Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation. Initial ground-based testing began in 2010 with flight trials scheduled to take place in either 2011 or 2012.

The Department is also engaged in a further unmanned combat air system (UCAS) concept design and engineering study with a BAE Systems led team which includes Rolls-Royce and Selex. This will help inform new concept designs for a future operational UCAS.

Discussions have taken place, and will continue, between MOD officials and their French counterparts about the future development of unmanned combat air vehicles but these are at a very early stage.

Question

Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Typhoon aircraft were grounded on (a) 23 March, (b) 6 April, (c) 20 April, (d) 4 May, (e) 18 May, (f) 1 June and (g) 15 June 2011 because parts had been removed to keep other aircraft airborne.

Answer

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

holding answer 28 June 2011

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 March 2011, Hansard, column 389W. The three aircraft from the sustainment fleet, which were not available for flying, were used as donor aircraft for spares throughout the dates listed. In addition, one aircraft was declared temporarily unserviceable on 15 June, following the removal of a part to meet urgent operational needs.

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of near cash spending levels for (a) Navy Command, (b) Land Forces, (c) Air Command, (d) Defence Estates and (e) Defence Equipment and Support in each of the next four financial years.

Answer

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

The planned spending levels for Navy Command, Land Forces, Air Command, Defence Estates and Defence Equipment and Support in each of the next three financial years are provided in the following table. Figures have not been provided for 2015-16 as this falls outside the current spending review settlement.

The Department will review planned spending for the period in question and beyond as part of its routine planning round 12 process. This will take into account the outcome of a range of work under way, including the three-month exercise.

Total departmental expenditure limit
£ million
	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
Navy Command	2,166	2,106	2,060
Land Forces	6,587	6,588	6,670
Air Command	2,559	2,450	2,440
Defence Infrastructure Organisation	3,552	3,208	3,005
Defence Equipment and Support Operating Budget	1,166	1,085	1,035
Note: The figures in the table do not include planned spend on equipment procurement and equipment support. These costs are normally assigned in the annual report and accounts to the Defence Equipment and Support top level budget.

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel changed residence as a result of service deployment in each of the last three years.

Answer

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

The number of service personnel who have moved in and out of service family accommodation in the UK in each of the last three years is shown in the following table.

Calendar year	Move ins	Move outs
2009	21,313	20,618
2010	21,344	20,297
2011 (to date)	9,097	9,124

Centrally maintained records do not allow us to differentiate between moves occurring as a result of an official service posting notice, at an individual’s request, or through discharge from the services. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It is assumed, however, that the majority of moves will be related to postings.

Moves in and out of private homes are not recorded by the Department.

Data relating to single living accommodation are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question

Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 415W, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping operations, what estimate he has made of the cost per flying hour of using (a) Tornado and (b) Harrier aircraft for operations in (i) Afghanistan and (ii) other theatres.

Answer

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

holding answer 4 July 2011

Following reductions to the Harrier Force in 2009 by the previous Government, the Harrier was no longer sufficient in size to meet our requirement in Afghanistan. Hence following the strategic defence and security review the Harrier force is no longer in service.

The marginal costs per flying hour of Tornado GR4 is £5,000 per hour. These are the direct running costs, principally made up of consumables such as fuel.

 

Question

Douglas Carswell (Clacton, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what recent progress his Department has made on the Future Rapid Effect System Utility Vehicle programme; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what recent estimate he has made of the total cost of the Future Rapid Effect System Utility Vehicle programme.

(3) what estimate he has made of how many vehicles will be supplied to the armed forces under the Future Rapid Effect System Utility Vehicle programme.

Answer

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

The Future Rapid Effect System has been recast from a single programme into a set of constituent programmes, one of which is the utility vehicle programme. The Department continues to examine the best way to take the utility vehicle programme forward. The total cost of the utility vehicle programme and platform numbers will be confirmed when the main investment decision is taken. The Department does not publish such estimates before this point as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel of each rank based at each location received the continuity education allowance (CEA) in each financial year since 2000-01; and how much was paid to service personnel of each rank in CEA in each such year.

Answer

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

holding answer 4 July 2011

The purpose of continuity of education allowance (CEA) is to allow the children of service personnel to achieve a stable education against a background of parental postings both at home, and overseas.

The amount of CEA paid to each rank from financial year 2007-08 onwards can be found in the following tables. Prior to the implementation of the joint personnel administration system (JPA), this information was held on single service legacy systems and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

I announced to the House on 16 December 2010, Hansard, column 116W, changes to the regulations governing CEA that took effect from 1 April 2011. These changes altered the rules regarding involuntary separated service, transfer to day schooling, the aggregation of claims and the formal review of claims.

In addition, a dedicated team is being established to ensure probity and compliance of future claims and a review of CEA is being conducted to ensure this expenditure is fully justified.

I will write to the right hon. Member about the number of service personnel of each rank by location receiving CEA and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

Number of personnel in receipt of CEA
	Financial year
Army Rank or equivalent	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11
Lieutenant/Second lieutenant	10	10	10	10
Captain	620	610	640	650
Major	1,070	1,040	1,000	1,020
Lieutenant colonel	1,140	1,150	1,120	1,120
Colonel	470	480	480	460
Brigadier	180	160	160	160
Major general	40	40	40	40
Lieutenant general	10	10	10	(1)—
General	(1)—	(2)—	(1)—	(1)—
Private	40	40	70	80
Lance corporal	40	40	50	80
Corporal	360	370	360	380
Sergeant	660	640	680	690
Staff sergeant	720	710	680	660
Warrant officer 2	360	400	470	480
Warrant officer 1	290	280	260	290
Grand total	6,010	5,990	6,020	6,090
(1) Represents five or fewer. (2 )Represents zero. Notes: Rounding has been applied to all figures. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. Totals have been rounded separately and therefore may not equal the sum of their rounded parts.

Amount of CEA paid by rank (£ million)
	Financial year
Army r ank or equivalent	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11
Lieutenant/Second lieutenant	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1
Captain	10.9	11.6	11.8	12.1
Major	18.8	19.3	19.9	20.4
Lieutenant colonel	23.6	24.9	25.3	25.8
Colonel	9.5	9.8	10.6	11.0
Brigadier	3.5	3.7	3.6	3.6
Major general	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7
Lieutenant general	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
General	0.1	—	0.1	0.1
Private	0.4	0.7	0.9	1.1
Lance corporal	0.5	0.6	0.7	1.0
Corporal	4.6	5.1	5.0	5.3
Sergeant	9.2	9.8	10.2	10.9
Staff sergeant	10.3	10.9	10.7	10.4
Warrant officer 2	5.3	6.4	7.2	7.6
Warrant officer 1	4.0	4.3	4.4	4.6
Cost of CEA claims	101.8	108.1	111.3	114.9
Cost of Tax and NI for CEA(1)	60.3	64.7	65.6	(2)—
Total cost of CEA to the MOD	162.2	172.8	176.9	(2)—
(1 )Tax and National Insurance on CEA paid to HMRC by the MOD on behalf of the individual. (2) Not yet available

 

Question

Douglas Carswell (Clacton, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) whether the Indirect Fire Precision Attack programme is included in the Gray Review;

(2) whether the Future Rapid Effect System programme is included in the Gray Review;

(3) whether the Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme is included in the Gray Review;

(4) whether the Beyond Visual Air-to-Air Missile programme is included in the Gray Review;

(5) whether the search and rescue helicopter project is included in the Gray Review.

Answer

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

I am interpreting the Gray Review to be “The Materiel Strategy” currently being developed by the Chief of Defence Materiel. This will not address individual projects but will consider the Defence Equipment and Support organisation’s performance more generally, including establishing its core role and how it can deliver its business most efficiently and effectively. This review will be coherent with Lord Levene‘s Defence Reform recommendations and my forthcoming White Paper which I expect to publish later this year. The Materiel Strategy will be implemented from early 2012 onwards.

 

 

Question

Douglas Carswell (Clacton, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent estimate he has made of how many vehicles will be supplied to the armed forces under the Terrier programme.

Answer

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

Terrier is an armoured earthmoving vehicle that will provide an improved capability to support mobility, counter-mobility and survivability throughout the spectrum of conflict. 60 vehicles will be supplied.

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) whether (a) Mastiff, (b) Ridgback, (c) Warrior, (d) Panther, (e) Coyote, (f) Husky, (g) Warthog, (h) Wolfhound and (i) Jackal vehicles can be transported on An-124 aircraft leased under the NATO Strategic Airlift Interim Solution;

(2) how many (a) Mastiff, (b) Ridgback, (c) Warrior, (d) Panther, (e) Coyote, (f) Husky, (g) Warthog, (h) Wolfhound and (i) Jackal vehicles may be transported on (i) An-124, (ii) C-17 and (iii) C-130 aircraft per flight.

Answer

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

Mastiff, Ridgback, Warrior, Panther, Coyote, Husky, Warthog, Wolfhound and Jackal vehicles can be transported on chartered Antonov AN-124 and the RAF C17 aircraft. However, Mastiff, Ridgback, Warrior, Warthog and Wolfhound cannot be transported on the RAF C130K and C130J variants of the Hercules aircraft as their physical dimensions exceed cargo hold limitations.

The following table provides details of the total number of each vehicle type that can be carried on a single aircraft.

Vehicle type	AN-124	C-17	C-130K	C-130J
Mastiff	3	2	(1)—	(1)—
Ridgback	4	2	(1)—	(1)—

Warrior	2	1	(1)—	(1)—
Panther	10	5	1	1
Coyote	6	3	1	1
Husky	6	2	1	1
Warthog	4	1	(1)—	(1)—
Wolfhound	3	2	(1)—	(1)—
Jackal	11	5	1	1
(1) Not transported.

 

Question

Douglas Carswell (Clacton, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what recent progress his Department has made on the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what recent estimate he has made of the total cost to the public purse of the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme;

(3) what estimate he has made of how many planes will be supplied to the armed forces under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme.

Answer

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

The Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme is making good progress and remains within its approved performance, cost and time boundaries. The first two aircraft, Airbus A330-200, converted to military specification are currently undergoing flight testing. At RAF Brize Norton, Air Tanker Ltd has built a hangar and operations centre, maintenance and training facilities. These have been completed ahead of schedule in readiness for introduction to service later in 2011.

The current forecast whole life cost is £12 billion; this 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 internal partners on how best to utilise any spare capacity.

Under the PFI contract 14 aircraft will be available to the MOD by September 2016. These will be made available incrementally with the first aircraft being introduced into service in late 2011. The air-to-air refuelling capability will be available with the first aircraft in 2011 and is on schedule to meet the approved in-service date for air-to-air refuelling of 2014 with the delivery of the ninth aircraft. The final five aircraft will be delivered up to September 2016.

 

 

Question

Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of (a) operating (i) aircraft from Italy and (ii) an aircraft carrier within 20 miles of Libya for (A) one and (B) three months and (b) moving an aircraft carrier from the UK to Libya.

Answer

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

holding answer 17 June 2011

I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

Substantive answer from Nick Harvey to Andrew Turner:

I promised to write to you on 17 June regarding your tabled question in the House about the cost of operating aircraft in support of the UK mission in Libya.

As the Secretary of State reported to the House on 23 June (Official Report, column 24WS), the current estimate of the net additional costs of military operations for six months in support of Operation Ellamy—the United Kingdom’s contribution to coalition operations in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973—is in the region of £120 million. This excludes costs associated with capital munitions expended. You asked specifically about the costs of operating aircraft from Italy which, I am afraid, can not be broken out separately as the information is not held in that format.

Based upon current consumption rates we estimate the cost of replenishing munitions may be up to £140 million.

You also asked about the cost of moving and operating an aircraft carrier off the coast of Libya. As the UK does not currently maintain a carrier strike capability we have not prepared cost estimates for a hypothetical scenario. Historic costs for the previous capability are not a good guide as it is impossible to know how NATO would have used such a capability if it had been available and offered, whether alongside or instead of the British aircraft currently contributing to the operation. Hence it is impossible to estimate some key cost drivers such as weapons expenditure and flying hours.

I am sorry I cannot be more helpful.

 

 

Question

Douglas Carswell (Clacton, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what recent progress his Department has made on the Beyond Visual Air-to-Air Missile programme; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what recent estimate he has made of the total cost of the Beyond Visual Air-to-Air Missile programme;

(3) what estimate he has made of how many missiles will be supplied to the armed forces under the Beyond Visual Air-to-Air Missile programme.

Answer

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

The six nation Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) programme is currently in the final stages of its demonstration phase. Missile deliveries are on schedule to begin as planned in 2012. Integration onto Typhoon forms part of the programme, with an anticipated initial operating capability in 2015.

As stated in the major projects report 2010, the estimated total cost of the UK share of the assessment, demonstration and manufacture phases of the BVRAAM programme is £1,325 million.

Information relating to future in-service BVRAAM stock levels is being withheld for the purpose of safeguarding national security and because its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Question

Douglas Carswell (Clacton, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) what progress his Department has made on the Watchkeeper project; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what estimate he has made of the total cost of the Watchkeeper project;

(3) how many unmanned aerial vehicles will be supplied to the armed forces under the Watchkeeper programme.

Answer

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

The Watchkeeper Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) is being developed and manufactured at UAV Tactical Systems Ltd, the Thales UK/Elbit Systems joint venture company site in Leicester. Flight trials are currently taking place at Parc Aberporth, West Wales and it is planned that Watchkeeper will deploy to Afghanistan with an initial operating capability at the end of this year.

The cost of the Watchkeeper programme is just under £1 billion and it is planned that 54 Watchkeeper UAVs will be built for use by UK armed forces.

 

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flights the UK has made under the NATO Strategic Airlift Interim Solution since December 2009; what the (a) total cost and (b) cost per flight has been; and which aircraft were used

Answer

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

In financial years 2009-10 and 2010-11 a total of £21 million was spent on 46 tasks involving the use of Antonov AN-124 aircraft for strategic airlift. The average cost of each task was around £450,000. The forecast for financial year 2011-12 is that some £12 million will be spent on some 25 tasks.