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Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 10 March 1999
DEFENCE
Electronic Range Simulators (London)
Mr. Colvin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of electronic range simulators in London. [71662]
Mr. Doug Henderson: There are currently three electronic range simulators in Greater London; these are located in Wellington Barracks in Central London, Cavalry Barracks in Hounslow, and at RAF Uxbridge. In addition, the simulator at RAF St. Mawgan in Cornwall will move to RAF Northolt in September this year.
Defence Agencies
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed in the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency; and what the figure was at the time of its establishment. [72806]
Mr. Doug Henderson [holding answer 24 February 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Brigadier P. D. Foxton to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 10 March 1999:
I refer to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the staff currently employed within the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency (ABSDA) and when the Agency was established. As Chief Executive of ABSDA I am replying as this falls within my area of responsibility.
The numbers of staff currently employed within ABSDA are 3,666 civilians and 376 military. When the Agency was established in April 1995 the figures were 5,800 civilians and 600 military.
Ministry of Defence Police
Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he proposes in his Department's police manpower over the next five years. [73133]
Mr. Doug Henderson [holding answer 25 February 1999]: The policing needs of the Department are kept under review at all times. Certain options are currently being studied, and announcements will be made at the appropriate time. Police numbers will not, however, be reduced below the level needed to fulfil long-term commitments.
Army Technical Support Centre
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which targets the Army Technical Support Centre did not meet in 1997-98; and what monitoring he has undertaken for those targets in 1998-99. [72817]
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Mr. Doug Henderson
[holding answer 25 February 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Army Technical Support Centre. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Brigadier A. D. Ball to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 10 March 1999:
Mr. Steinberg:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to introduce testing for British Gulf War veterans using protocols recommended by Dr. Asaf Durakovic; [74716]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
Dr. Asaf Durakovic is Clinical Professor of Nuclear Medicine at Georgetown University, Washington DC. He discussed his current work in general terms with MOD officials at a meeting last month, when he explained that, in conjunction with others, he is carrying out a study into uranium levels amongst veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf conflict, in which a small number of UK Gulf veterans are participating. Our understanding is that Dr. Durakovic and his colleagues plan to publish their findings later this year: hence we look forward to seeing full details of the methodology they are using and the results obtained in due course.
MOD continues to advise UK Gulf veterans who are concerned that their health has been adversely affected by service during the Gulf conflict, including by possible exposure to depleted uranium (DU), that they are entitled to seek a referral to the Gulf veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) for a full medical assessment. Any tests
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which are considered clinically appropriate by the examining MAP physician, including those to detect the presence of uranium, will be arranged.
Mr. Davidson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the Auxiliary Oiler contract is (a) on schedule and (b) proceeding to budget; and if he will make a statement; [75125]
(3) what stage the work on the Auxiliary Oiler contract has reached for (a) the first and (b) the second ship; and if he will make a statement. [75124]
Mr. Spellar:
Progress continues on the design, material procurement and construction of the two ships. Construction of the central section of the first ship, comprising four major blocks, is nearing completion. For the second ship, fabrication of units for the first major block has recently started. A small number of detailed design changes have been agreed, costing the MOD around £0.5 million, mostly related to "Spend to Save" programmes to achieve reduction in through life operating costs. None of these changes affects the delivery schedule and the project remains within budget. The prime contractor is currently reviewing its overall work programme. The outcome of this review will be discussed with MOD officials shortly. It is not possible to state at this stage the extent to which this might result in delay to the deliver of the ships, although some slippage is anticipated.
Mr. Key:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) in what ways he will reduce the burden of training on individual army units in the training cycle; [75275]
Mr. Doug Henderson:
As part of the Strategic Defence Review, we plan to introduce by 2001 a new formation readiness cycle in which each deployable brigade will carry out a three year cycle with formation-level training, commitments and other tasks. This new cycle will enable units to achieve required readiness states and to balance training requirements with operational commitments. It will be made possible by the reorganisation of army formations, including creation of a new mechanised brigade, into a more balanced force structure of two deployable divisions, one armoured and one mechanised, and will as a result help to reduce overstretch and the burden of training on individual units in the cycle.
Mr. Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role Vectra Technologies has at the RN base Clyde; and what experience that organisation has in work on nuclear submarines. [75248]
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Mr. Spellar:
Vectra Technologies supply specialist safety, engineering and project management services. It is an approved Defence contractor, providing the Royal HM Naval Base Clyde with expert consultancy support in the production of safety cases for nuclear support services, in the development of nuclear safety management systems, and on management system audits.
I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Key Target achievement for 1997-98 for the Army Technical Support Agency (ATSA), as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the ATSA.
As reported in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts, ATSA did not achieve 2 out of its 9 key Targets set for 1997-98. These were:
Key Target 1: Influence equipment design by attaining an involvement of 80% of MoD(PE) ILS projects wherein ATSA's contribution is equal or greater than one half man-year of effort.
Key Target 9: Respond to 100% of Equipment Failure Reports (or equivalent) submissions within 14 calendar days of receipt.
These Key Targets were both new for that year and were untested for achievability when set. They subsequently proved unreasonable within the Agency's operating resource constraints. The Agency's actual achievement and the business impact for each target was analysed by the Agency's Owner, the Director General of Equipment Support (Army) (DGES(A)). Despite non-achievement, the customers remained satisfied with the Agency's performance in both areas over the year. Both targets were more precisely defined and agreed by the Owner and customers so as to meet more effectively their needs through the following year.
Performance against the subsequent Key Targets for 1998-99 is monitored by the Chief Executive and the Executive Management Board of the Agency on a monthly basis. This performance is reported quarterly to the Agency's Owner and annually to Ministers through publication of the Next Steps Report and the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts. Key Target achievement is also considered by the National Audit Office during the annual submission of the Accounts for external audit.
As at 26th February 1999, the Agency is on target to achieve these redefined Key Targets for 1998-99.
I hope that you find this information helpful.
(2) what discussions his Department has held with Dr. Asaf Durakovic; and if he will make a statement. [74715]
(2) what (a) detailed and (b) major changes his Department has sought to make to the design of the ships under the Auxiliary Oiler contract; what was the cost to his Department of such changes and what measures have been taken to ensure that costs do not increase on the contract; and if he will make a statement; [75123]
(2) what plans he has to achieve a more balanced operational and training cycle for the United Kingdom's deployable divisions in the UK and in Germany. [75273]
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