Parliamentary Answers – to 16 September 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.

Ministerial Statement

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

I am pleased to announce that the Astute class submarine hull 5 is to be named HMS Anson. The boat is expected to join HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful and HMS Audacious at the end of 2020.

The seven Astute class boats planned for the Royal Navy are the most advanced attack submarines ordered by the Ministry of Defence, with improved firepower and communications, and the ability to operate stealthily for extended periods. The crew also benefit from greatly improved accommodation and facilities.

The boats will undertake a wide range of tasks in support of military operations worldwide.

 

Question

David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve the availability of equipment to be despatched to armed forces in Afghanistan.

Answer

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

Success in Afghanistan is the top priority for Defence and we are fully committed to ensuring that the campaign is properly resourced, funded and equipped. Operational commanders have confirmed they have the equipment they need to fulfil the strategy set for them in Afghanistan. This is the result of a continual cycle of equipment upgrades since operations began, a process the Government remains firmly committed to.

On support to current operations, 95% of urgent operational requirements exceeded or met the expected delivery date, 42% were achieved below the approved cost and 104 of the 106 projects approved were delivered in-year.

For our longer-term equipment programmes we have developed an early warning system that uses key performance indicators to indicate where we may have future issues on a project that will need to be addressed. The Secretary of State forDefence, my right hon. Friend Dr Fox has also established the Major Projects Review Board which will regularly review the top 50 equipment projects managed by the Department to ensure that corrective measures are taken, particularly where a project is running over budget or behind expected timelines.

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with (a) Babcock, (b) BAE Systems and (c) General Dynamics UK on the sale of Defence Support Group properties.

Answer

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

Defence Ministers and officials meet with industry on a routine basis to discuss a wide range of defence issues, including the sale of the DefenceSupport Group (DSG). I am withholding details of these discussions as their disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. Nevertheless, the decision to sell the DSG, announced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review White Paper last October, has generated significant interest within industry. Although the Ministry ofDefence (MOD) is not yet in a position to invite formal expressions of interest in the sale, we have received some early and speculative approaches from a number of companies, including BAES, Babcock and General Dynamics (UK). MOD officials have met informally with BAES and Babcock, at the request of the companies, to allow them to explain their interest in the DSG in more detail.

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which foreign companies have been awarded contracts that included an obligation for industrial participation in the latest period for which figures are available; what the value of each contract was; and which of these contracts was subject to Treaty exemption under Article 346.

Answer

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

The UK’s industrial participation policy is voluntary. No foreign defencecompanies have been awarded contracts that include a contractual obligation for industrial participation. We are currently reviewing our industrial participation policy to ensure it remains compatible with EU law.

 

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information regarding offset commitments has been provided to the European Defence Agencysince Directive 2009/81/EC was transposed into UK law.

Answer

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

The Ministry of Defence has not presented any information to theEuropean Defence Agency in relation to the UK’s industrial participation commitments for foreign Defence companies since Directive 2009/81/EC was transposed into national law.

 

Question

Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has considered using the Typhoon as an alternative to the F35 Joint Strike Fighter to serve on the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers; and if he will estimate the potential cost to the public purse of using the Typhoon as an alternative to the F35 Joint Strike Fighter in terms of (a) initial purchase, (b)maintenance and (c) compatibility with the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.

Answer

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

holding answer 12 September 2011

A ‘marinised’ variant of the Typhoon aircraft was considered, along with a number of other options, before the decision was taken to select the Joint Strike Fighter to satisfy the UK’s future Joint Combat Aircraft requirement. All option studies undertaken to date have consistently concluded that the Joint Strike Fighter provided the best value for money in light of our future capability requirements.

 

 

Question

Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Statement by the Prime Minister of 19 October 2010, Official Report, column 801, and with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for North Durham, of 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 1140W, on joint strike fighter aircraft, what the evidential basis is for the statement that the carrier version of the joint strike fighter will be less expensive than the version commissioned by the previous Administration.

Answer

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

All cost data provided by both the Joint Strike Fighter F35 contractors and the US Department of Defense indicate that the average unit price for the carrier variant will be lower than that estimated for the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing variant. These costs are supported by latest production data and are independently validated both in the US and UK.

 

Question

Caroline Dinenage (Gosport, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of weapons used by UK forces in support of Operation Ellamy was represented by Brimstone and precision missiles.

Answer

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

From the start of current operations in Libya up till 1 September 2011, UKforces have employed around 1,100 precision guided munitions, 110 direct fire weapons, 4,100 rounds of direct fire 30 mm cannon rounds, and around 240 high explosive or illumination rounds from 4.5 inch naval guns. Therefore, excluding 30 mm cannon rounds, 76% of weapons employed were precision guided. We carefully select the type of weapon in every engagement to ensure the most appropriate munition is used to deliver the required effect, while minimising the risk of civilian casualties.

The precision guided munitions used include Dual Mode Seeker Brimstone, Enhanced Paveway II, Paveway IV, Storm Shadow missiles and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles. Direct fire munitions include Hellfire missiles and CRV-7 rockets

 

 

Question

Menzies Campbell (North East Fife, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether additional Quick Reaction Alert provision will be created at RAF Coningsby following the drawdown of the Typhoon force from RAF Leuchars.

Answer

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

Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) North will transfer from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth therefore there is no plan for additional QRA provision created at RAF Coningsby.

 

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Capability Decision Point will be reached for the Type 26 Frigate programme.

Answer

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

The Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme is currently in its assessment phase, which is expected to be complete by early 2014. The capability decision point, an internal programme milestone, will be reached as part of this phase.

 

Question

Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Order of Battle is of the Royal Air Force.

Answer

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

Order of Battle is not a term commonly applied by the Royal Air Force. The information in the following table is a current indication of the size and shape of the RAF:

Number of squadrons	Aircraft/Activity	Main RAF group responsible
6	Tornado GR4	1
5	Typhoon	1
1	Sentinel/Shadow	2
1	Sentry	2
3	Search and Rescue Sea King	2
3	C 130 Hercules	2
I	Command Support Air Transport Fleet	2
1	Reaper	2
1	C-17 Globemaster	2
3	Hawk	22 and 1
1	VC-10	2
1	Tristar	2
3	Tutor	22
1	King Air	22
2	Sentry/Sentinel	2
2	Griffin	22 and 2
1	Tucano	22
1	Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit (OEU)	2
1	No Aircraft—AWC HQ trials and tactics, office based air exercise planning unit	2
1	Integrated Test and Evaluation Squadron	2
3	Chinook	(1)—
2	Merlin	(1)—
2	Puma	(1)—
(1) Joint Helicopter Command

Question

Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated cost of fitting cats and traps to (a) one and (b) both Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers; whether he plans to fit cats and traps to (i) HMS Queen Elizabethand (ii) HMS Prince of Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

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

holding answer 12 September 2011

The Strategic Defence and Security Review called for one Queen Elizabeth (QE) class aircraft carrier to be converted to operate the more capable and cost-effective carrier variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The National Audit Office’s report on Carrier Strike, published on 7 July 2011, estimated the cost of converting a single carrier at £800 million to £1.2 billion, a reasonable estimate based on the maturity of information currently available. We are developing more detailed cost estimates as part of our ongoing work.

A revised design is being developed to consider the cost differences between a post-build refit of the first in class, HMS Queen Elizabeth and an in-build conversion of the second, HMS Prince of Wales. On current plans, we expect to take firm decisions on the optimum conversion solution for the operational carrier in late 2012.

 

Question

Ben Wallace (Wyre and Preston North, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the status is of theWarrior IFV turret upgrade; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

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

The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend Dr Fox, announced plans to upgrade the Army’s Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle in his statement to the House on Defence Transformation on 18 July 2011, Hansard, columns 643-45. The Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme plans to deliver enhancements in lethality, survivability, growth potential, and safe operation. The turret upgrade, incorporating a 40 mm cannon, is one of these elements. The programme has reached its main investment decision point and a further announcement is expected later in the autumn.

 

Question

James Arbuthnot (North East Hampshire, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) monetary value of his Department’s assets that cannot be located.

Answer

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

The Comptroller and Auditor General’s (C&AG)’s report on the Ministry ofDefence’s 2010-11 Annual Report and Accounts, which has been accepted by the MOD, identified that the Department was unable to provide sufficient information to support the accounting for certain inventory and capital spares, including Bowman radios, totalling £5.3 billion.

The difficulties in reconciling inventory system records with the accounting systems does not mean that we have lost any of these items. Nevertheless, given that equipment frequently moves between military units on operations or between units and the repair loop the MOD is committed to doing more to improve the underlying tracking processes and systems.

On the issue of Bowman radios, the Bowman Asset Management Improvement Plan; which is addressing specific concerns raised by the NAO over the recording of additions and disposal, and delivery of replacements for legacy inventory systems will continue to deliver improvements in the quality of the accounting information.

On asset and stock management the Chief of Defence Materiel, as logistics process owner, has established the Materiel and Financial Accounting Programme Board to review processes for all areas of asset management and accounting. The Board is overseeing a number of key areas of work including:

The replacement of legacy inventory systems to improve the logistics capability in support of the front line and to address the issues raised by NAO.

A four year plan; to be completed in 2013, to improve stocktaking and ensure balances are correctly recorded on the systems.

Improvements in skills and competencies training, which is being introduced from 2011.

An action plan to dispose of obsolete stock which commenced in 2010-11.

C&AG has acknowledged that some progress has already been made in the way that the MOD controls inventory and capital spares and welcomed the way in which the MOD has responded to previous recommendations. However, C&AG also recognises that the MOD is only two years into a longer term programme to resolve the underlying issues and that benefits arising from approved new systems will only start to have an impact in 2014.

 

Question

Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Order of Battle is of the Brigade of Gurkhas.

Answer

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

The Order of Battle for the Brigade of Gurkhas is as follows:

Unit	Location
HQ Brigade of Gurkhas	Upavon
1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles	Shorncliffe
2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles	Brunei
Queen’s Gurkha Signals:
246 Gurkha Signal Squadron	York
248 Gurkha Signal Squadron	Stafford
250 Gurkha Signal Squadron	Bramcote
Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas	Shorncliffe
Queens Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment:
28 Squadron	Aldershot
94 Squadron	Hullavington
1 Squadron	Aldershot
Queen’s Gurkha Engineers:
69 Squadron	Maidstone
70 Squadron	Maidstone
Gurkha Companies:
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst	Sandhurst
Infantry Battle School	Brecon
Infantry Training Centre	Catterick
Infantry Training Centre Language Wing	Catterick
Staff and Personnel Support	Glasgow
Gurkha Reinforcement Company	Munster, Germany

 

Question

Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work was carried out onHMS Endurance before it was taken over by the Navy; and whether any work was subsequently undertaken by his Department that had not been anticipated.

Answer

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

After HMS Polar Circle was leased by the Ministry of Defence in November 1991 and prior to the ship’s first deployment, modifications were made to the Ship’s aviation, communications and hydrographic systems utilising equipment from the previous HMS Endurance where feasible. This included putting non-slip surfaces on the Ship’s hangar deck, improved flight aids, improved aviation fuelling systems, encrypted satellite communication and a new echo sounder.

In January 1992, the decision was made to purchase HMS Polar Circle and the ship was renamed as HMS Endurance in October 1992. At this stage, a further series of planned modifications were made to the vessel, including enlarging its hangar and the fitting of additional communication and hydrographic equipment. Until its flooding in 2008, all other maintenance or refit work conducted on HMS Endurance had been anticipated and was conducted as part of the ship’s routine programme.

 

Question

David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any UK ground forces have been deployed in Libya; and what plans he has for such future deployment.

Answer

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

The UK has a small military mentoring team in Libya supporting theNational Transitional Council.

 

 

Question

Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will order a lessons learned paper on NATO operations in Libya.

Answer

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

The Ministry of Defence routinely conducts lessons learned exercises after the conclusion of a military operation.

 

 

Question

David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve supply chain mechanisms to deliver resources to military personnel serving in Afghanistan.

Answer

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

As recognised by the Committee of Public Accounts Forty-Third report of Session 2010-12, the chain by which military operations, such as those in Afghanistan, are supplied with essential equipment and supplies would be much more efficient if directed by a modern information system supported by appropriate skills and procedures. A comprehensive programme is under way to replace the current ageing and obsolete logistics information systems with new capabilities including the Future Logistics Information Services project (which will replace the base inventory systems), the Management of the Joint Deployed Inventory (MJDI) system (for deployed assets) and the Joint Asset Management Engineering Solution (JAMES) (to improve the management of land equipment).

MJDI and JAMES are currently being rolled out. These will contribute to improved materiel accounting and early increments of MJDI are already in service within some units within Afghanistan, with the programme due to deliver the full MJDI and JAMES capabilities in 2014.

In addition, the new single tri-service base inventory and warehousing system, to replace the individual systems used in all three services, will also be delivered incrementally. This will see a major step change in the support chain and materiel accounting, with a rationalised modern base inventory and warehouse service with easier reconciliation with the Ministry of Defence’s finance systems.

 

 

Question

Michael Crockart (Edinburgh West, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the need for an officer of high rank to (a) oversee and organise the return of troops from Germany and (b) lead the new Multi-Role Brigade.

Answer

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

It has been agreed that the senior military officer who will oversee the return of troops from Germany will be the Commander-in-Chief Land Forces. He will be supported by the chief executive of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, who is responsible for the preparation of the UK Defence estate in advance of the troops returning, and the return of the estate that the Army currently occupies in Germany to the German Federal authorities.

There are no plans to change the manner in which operational brigades are commanded; the multi-role brigades will be commanded by brigadiers selected in line with current Army policy.

 

 

Question

Ben Wallace (Wyre and Preston North, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Royal Air Forceand (b) Royal Navy personnel undertaking pilot training were informed of (i) redundancy and (ii) termination of their place on their course; at what stage of their training they were so informed; and how many such personnel have been assigned to other duties.

Answer

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

In March this year, 170 RAF student pilots left the flying training pipeline during the initial phase of flying training, which is undertaken prior to learning to fly specific operational aircraft. Of those:

seven student pilots have secured career moves to ground-based branches;

161 have been notified they will be made redundant; and

two are leaving the RAF for different reasons.

Redundancy notifications for personnel in the Royal Navy will be issued on 30 September 2011. It would not be appropriate to announce how many of those are pilots prior to the announcement.

 

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence

(1) where the headquarters for the (a) Combat Capability Directorate, (b)Combat Support Capability Directorate, (c) Information Capability Directorate and (d) Combat Service Support Capability Directorate will be located;

(2) how many (a) service and (b) civilian personnel will be assigned to (i) Combat Capability Directorate, (ii) Combat Support Capability Directorate and (iii) the Information Capability Directorate;

(3) which regiments will be (a) amalgamated and (b) disbanded as a result of the creation of the Combat Capability Directorate.

Answer

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

The Army is planning to restructure eight of its arms and service directorates into four capability directorates by the end of 2012. Detailed planning is under way but the location of the directorates and the numbers, of service and civilian personnel to be assigned to them has yet to be determined.

No regiments will be amalgamated or disbanded as a result of the creation of the combat capability directorate.

 

Question

Angus Robertson (Moray, Scottish National Party)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects simultaneously to maintain an (a) Amphibious and (b) Airborne Small Scale Contingency Battle Group.

Answer

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

A contingent Amphibious Commando Group and Airborne Task Force, at battle group level, will be maintained simultaneously from financial year 2012.