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Aldermaston
Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what measures are to be implemented in building A12N at Aldermaston to ensure its continued safe operation until building A91 enters into service; [96425]
- (2) what progress has been made in commissioning building A91 at Aldermaston; and if he will make a statement. [96423]
Mr. Spellar: Technical problems with A91 have delayed its active commissioning. A decision on the most appropriate way forward for the facility will not now be made until the new term operating contractor has been appointed and they have had the opportunity to consider the situation.
The existing A12N plant will be maintained to ensure the continued safe processing of radioactive material while options for A91 are being evaluated. A review has been carried out and some minor engineering improvements have been included in the current engineering work programme. The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and the Environment Agency have been consulted on both A12N and the difficulties with A91.
8 Nov 1999 : Column: 404
Mr. Cohen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will break down the five bids for the abandoned strategic airlift competition indicating the capability and cost in each case; and what alternative approaches to the strategic airlift capability the Defence Procurement Agency is seeking and from which companies. [96746]
Mr. Hoon:
This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from John Howe to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 8 November 1999:
Mr. Duncan Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of soldiers serving for three years extended their service beyond three years by (a) three, (b) six, and (c) nine years in each of the last five years. [97518]
Mr. Spellar:
Soldiers enlisting into the Regular Army since 1991 have done so on the Open Engagement (up to 22 years), which commits them to a minimum of three years service (four years for those enlisting after 2 November 1999). Continuation of service beyond that point is subject to the wishes of the individual and the needs of the Army. There is no requirement for soldiers to specify the length of any further commitment, but they are normally required to give 12 months notice of their wish to leave.
The information is not, therefore, available in the form requested. The table, however, identify the average soldier trained strength in each of the last five financial years, by length of reckonable service, and as a percentage of the total trained soldier strength.
8 Nov 1999 : Column: 405
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked if he will provide a breakdown of the five bids received in response to the Short Term Strategic Airlift competition and what alternative approaches the Defence Procurement Agency is seeking to fulfil this requirement. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
In answer to the first part of your question, I provide below details of the bidders and the aircraft they proposed for the terminated competition:
Airbus Transport International (ATI) offering a beluga and conventional freighters.
An Air Foyle Ltd-led consortium offering a yet-to-be developed version of the Antonov An-124.
Boeing/BAe offering the C-17.
IBP Ltd offering the current standard Antonov An-124.
Rolls Royce offering a managed service provision.
I am withholding details of costs and capabilities offered under Exemption 13 (third party's commercial confidences) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
In answer to the second part of your question, the Defence Procurement Agency is exploring other possible options for meeting our Airlift requirement, with the intention of reaching a decision in early 2000. This includes discussions with Boeing and the USAF on acquiring a C-17 capability through commercial lease or alternative arrangements and discussions with Air Foyle Ltd and Heavy Lift Cargo Airlines Ltd on more assured short-term chartering. A third company has now withdrawn its interest. The companies were requested to submit proposals by 29 October.
| Length of reckonable service (years)(1) | Average trained strength(2) | Percentage of total strength |
|---|---|---|
| (a) 1998-99 | ||
| Less than 3 years | 17,932 | 21 |
| 3-5 years | 13,570 | 16 |
| 6-8 years | 13,216 | 16 |
| 9-11 years | 13,510 | 16 |
| 12+ years | 25,949 | 31 |
| Total | 84,177 | 100 |
| (b) 1997-98 | ||
| Less than 3 years | 16,107 | 19 |
| 3-5 years | 14,821 | 17 |
| 6-8 years | 15,745 | 19 |
| 9-11 years | 13,332 | 16 |
| 12+ years | 24,882 | 29 |
| Total | 84,887 | 100 |
| (c) 1996-97 | ||
| Less than 3 years | 14,604 | 17 |
| 3-5 years | 17,094 | 20 |
| 6-8 years | 17,588 | 20 |
| 9-11 years | 12,935 | 15 |
| 12+ years | 23,676 | 28 |
| Total | 85,897 | 100 |
| (d) 1995-96 | ||
| Less than 3 years | 15,406 | 17 |
| 3-5 years | 20,310 | 23 |
| 6-8 years | 18,106 | 20 |
| 9-11 years | 12,637 | 14 |
| 12+ years | 22,656 | 26 |
| Total | 89,115 | 100 |
| (e) 1994-95 | ||
| Less than 3 years | 18,330 | 19 |
| 3-5 years | 23,662 | 24 |
| 6-8 years | 18,171 | 19 |
| 9-11 years | 12,669 | 13 |
| 12+ years | 23,977 | 25 |
| Total | 96,809 | 100 |
(1) UK Trained Army Personnel (soldiers) only.
(2) The Strengths are calculated by adding together the start and end strengths of each financial year, and dividing by two.
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the extension of the minimum commitment for soldiers from three to four years will have on pay differentials for those signing on for an extended three, six or nine years. [97519]
Mr. Spellar: The extension of the minimum commitment for soldiers from three to four years will have no effect on pay differentials. Soldiers have been enlisted on open engagements since 1 January 1991 and pay differentials for initial engagements of three, six or nine years have not applied since that date.
Patten Commission
Mr. William Ross:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution the armed forces made to the Patten Commission on policing in Northern Ireland. [97558]
8 Nov 1999 : Column: 406
Mr. Spellar:
The Patten Commission on Policing received a briefing on the role of the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland and the support they provide to the Royal Ulster Constabulary on 2 October 1998.
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the inflow and outflow rates for (a) the Territorial Army, (b) the Royal Naval Reserve and (c) the Royal Auxiliary Airforce for (i) officers and (ii) other ranks, for each of the years from 1994-95 to date. [97661]
Mr. Spellar:
I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sexual discrimination cases involving his Department are pending before (a) the European Court of Justice and (b) the European Court of Human Rights. [97666]
Mr. Spellar:
There are no cases pending before either Court.
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sexual discrimination cases have been brought against his Department in industrial tribunals since 1 February 1995; in how many such cases rulings were made against his Department; how much financial compensation was paid in each case; and how many cases are awaiting decision. [97668]
Mr. Spellar:
The information requested relating to Industrial (now Employment) Tribunal applications together with details of compensation paid is available only for applications made by serving members, or former members, of the Armed Forces, since 1996-1997 when complete records began to be kept. The information provided does not include those applications submitted by MOD civilian and former civilian staff to Employment Tribunals, for which information is not held centrally.
Legal advice is taken on all cases and where a thorough and objective assessment of the case proves that there is a legal liability to pay compensation we do so. In such cases, the Ministry of Defence would hope to avoid cases proceeding to a full Tribunal hearing. My Department is currently handling 35 Employment Tribunal cases for sexual discrimination, two of which have been listed for full hearings.
The following figures exclude Employment Tribunal applications from those Servicewomen who were obliged to leave the Services on grounds of pregnancy. All 5,038 of these claims received have been settled in full at a cost of £60,279,782.
8 Nov 1999 : Column: 407
| Number of Employment Tribunal applications received in period | Number of Employment Tribunal cases settled/ repudiated in period | Compensation paid in period (£) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-97 | 58 | 15 settled | 260,000 |
| 15 repudiated | |||
| 1997-98 | 57 | 16 settled | 271,000 |
| 25 repudiated | |||
| 1998-99 | 25 | 14 settled | 425,000 |
| 20 repudiated | |||
| 1999-2000(3) | 12 | 1 settled | 1,000 |
| 7 repudiated |
(3) To 4 November 1999
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sexual discrimination complaints against his Department since 1 February 1995 (a) have been made under service redress procedures, (b) were upheld by his Department at that stage, (c) came before industrial tribunals, (d) came before the European Court of Justice and (e) came before the European Court of Human Rights. [97664]
Mr. Spellar: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
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