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Mr. Freeman: Pulsed power physics techniques support a range of programmes at AWE associated with warhead safety, effectiveness and capability.
RAF Spadeadam
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was Royal Air Force Spadeadam's budget for each of the last five financial years.
Mr. Soames: The information requested is as follows:
1991 92: £6,750,000
1992 93: £7,200,000
1993 94: £8,500,000
1994 95: £8,212,000
Information for 1990 91 is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Nuclear Weapons
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's current estimates of the numbers of operational nuclear weapons held by the other nuclear-weapon states; and what estimates his Department has made of each state's rate of dismantling of nuclear weapons.
Mr. Soames: A comparison of the strategic nuclear forces of the nuclear weapon states is given in figure 3 on page 33 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1994" (Cm 2550). It would be inappropriate to publish our more detailed assessments of force holdings and dismantlement programmes.
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Flying Training, Slovakia
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he had with the Government of Slovakia on access to flying training facilities in Slovakia for the Royal Air Force during his recent visit to that country; and what agreements have been reached on this subject.
Mr. Soames: During his meeting with the Slovakian Defence Minister on 15 February my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State discussed a wide range of issues, including possible United Kingdom military training opportunities in Slovakia. Although no agreements were concluded, our respective officials are considering ways of deepening co- operation between our two countries.
Rugby League
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions have been made for the Rugby League within the Royal Air Force sports board's five-day sport officials and coaches courses for 1995 96.
Mr. Soames: No bid was received from the Rugby League for its sport to be included within the Royal Air Force sports board's five-day courses for 1995 96. Along with other sports, rugby league will be allowed the opportunity to hold a course in 1996 97.
Permanent Secretaries
Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which permanent secretaries have left his Department's employment in the last five years; and which public positions they have been appointed to subsequently.
Mr. Freeman: Sir Peter Levene, Sir Michael Quinlan, Sir Kenneth Macdonald and Professor Sir Ronald Oxburgh have left the Department as permanent secretaries in the five years from 1 March 1990. Ministers have appointed them to the following positions:
Sir P. Levene
adviser to the Prime Minister on efficiency and effectiveness; special adviser to the President of the Board of Trade; special adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on competition and purchasing (1992 only);
special adviser to the Secretary of State for Environment (1991 1992).
Sir K. Macdonald
chairman International Military Services Ltd.
Sir M. Quinlan
trustee of the Science museum.
University Air Squadron
Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the approximate annual cost of the training of Oxford university air squadron at RAF Benson; and which organisation finances these costs.
Mr. Soames: The current estimate of expenditure by Oxford university air squadron during this financial year is £436,000. This expenditure is funded by my Department with costs falling to the Royal Air Force college, Cranwell's budget.
Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the RAF bases which offer training to university air squadrons and the approximate annual cost of the training in each case.
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Mr. Soames: A list of university air squadrons based at RAF bases and airfields, together with estimates of expenditure during the present financial year, are as follows:
|Estimate
|of expenditure
University Air |Airfield |£000
Squadron
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Dundee and
St. Andrews |RAF Leuchars |536
University of Birmingham Air
Squadron |RAF Cosford |549
Bristol |Colerne Airfield |758
East Lowlands |RAF Turnhouse |507
East Midlands |RAF Newton |721
Liverpool |RAF Woodvale |457
University of London |RAF Benson |1,094
Manchester and Salford |RAF Woodvale |700
Northumbrian |RAF Leeming |514
Oxford |RAF Benson |436
Southampton |RAF Boscombe
| Down |680
University of Wales Air
Squadron |RAF St. Athan |504
Yorkshire |RAF Finningley<1>|618
<1>Should the decision be taken to close RAF Finningley, the Yorkshire UAS would
relocate to RAF Church Fenton.
Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training facilities are available for Oxford university air squadron at RAF Benson.
Mr. Soames: At present, the Oxford university air squadron operates five Bulldog aircraft from RAF Benson. Generally, a full three year training syllabus comprises 99 hours of individual tuition on the aircraft. The squadron's working accommodation consists of a hangar, offices and a briefing facility. In addition, members have access to the infrastructure of an RAF operational base and the opportunity which that provides for training.
Operation Granby
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of RAF personnel deployed during Operation Granby was logistical and support personnel.
Mr. Soames: Over 70 per cent. of RAF personnel deployed to the Gulf were logistics and support personnel.
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the British 1st Armoured Division deployed as part of Operation Granby was logistical and support personnel.
Mr. Soames: A total of 43 per cent. of the British 1st Armoured Division deployed during Operation Granby was logistics or support personnel.
Western European Union
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what actions his Department has proposed for the establishment of an intelligence satellite for the Western European Union.
Mr. Soames: The Western European Union is currently studying the possibilities of co-operation on a European satellite observation system. The United Kingdom is contributing fully to that work.
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Excess Equipment
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the receipts for the sale of excess equipment in each of the last 10 years.
Mr. Freeman: The following is the information: