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15 Mar 2007 : Column 458W—continued
Bombs
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cluster bombs have been stockpiled by the UK, broken down by type. [127193]
Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to my answer on 10 October 2006, Official Report, column 656W, to the hon. Member for North Devon (Nick Harvey).
Bowman Combat Radio System
Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what increments are planned for the Bowman communications system once initial conversion is completed. [126184]
Mr. Ingram: Following completion, currently expected in 2008, of the Bowman conversion and fielding programme, we envisage a periodic capability release programme providing both capability enhancements and maintenance. This programme will be informed by current validation work on the delivery of deferred capabilities.
Correspondence: Members
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Minister of State for the armed forces to reply to the letter of 31 January from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan on his constituent, Mr. N. Thom of Mintlaw. [125587]
Derek Twigg: I wrote to the hon. Member on 6 March 2007.
Defence Export Services Organisation: Freedom of Information
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2007, Official Report, column 960W, on the Defence Export Services Organisation: freedom of information, what the (a) brief fees and (b) refresher rates are for (i) Jonathan Crow QC and (ii) Kate Gallafent. [126499]
Mr. Ingram: Counsel are paid an hourly rate for all their work as follows:
Jonathan Crow: £220 per hour
Kate Gallafent: £100 per hour
Housing
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many formal complaints on the condition of military housing were made by residents in each of the last 10 years. [118943]
Derek Twigg: The figures given in the table represent all housing complaints received for the years from 2002 to 2006.
| Number | |
Records of complaints for years prior to 2002 have been routinely destroyed.
The increase in complaints in 2006 is thought to reflect the introduction of the Housing Prime Contract and the initial problems with the service being delivered.
Iraq: Peace Keeping Operations
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether all Mastiffs delivered to the Iraqi theatre of operations will be fitted with slatted armour. [127023]
Mr. Ingram: I will not comment on specific protection measures for reasons of operational security.
Lynx Helicopters
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Mark 3 and (b) Mark 8 Lynx helicopters are (i) in service, (ii) under repair and (iii) being cannibalised for parts; and if he will make a statement. [124597]
Mr. Ingram: On 1 March 2007, the details for the Royal Navy’s Lynx helicopter fleet were as follows:
| Helicopter type | Departmental fleet | In service | Under repair | Other |
“In Service” aircraft are those in the Forward Fleet and available to the Front Line and training units. Aircraft “Under Repair” are those in the Depth Fleet which are undergoing planned routine depth maintenance. “Other” aircraft are those accident damaged and undergoing investigation with the Flight Safety Accident Investigation Centre, undergoing trials, awaiting disposal, or in storage.
One Lynx Mk 3 in storage is currently subject to controlled cannibalisation to support depth maintenance. Carefully managed and controlled cannibalisation is also carried out in the Forward Fleet as part of normal business to ensure the required number of aircraft are available to squadrons. These cannibalised aircraft are routinely returned to service when the necessary spare parts become available.
Navy: Deployment
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many warships are fully operational in the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [126534]
Mr. Ingram: The Royal Navy has 74 surface warships in the operating cycle, though those undergoing maintenance or refit are held at lower readiness for operations. In my letter of 6 March to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis), I set out the readiness policy for Royal naval ships, and listed those ships that are at lower readiness. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library of the House.
Nimrod Aircraft
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the safety of Nimrod aircraft. [126482]
Mr. Ingram: RAF Nimrod aircraft are designed and certified to strict airworthiness and safety standards. The structural integrity of the aircraft is maintained by adherence to the procedures detailed within military airworthiness regulations. The review of airworthiness and safety of the Nimrod fleet is a routine and continual activity that is undertaken by both the Defence Logistics Organisation and the Front Line Command. It includes a comprehensive maintenance and repair process that covers routine flight servicing before and after each flight.
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times the Nimrod fleet has been grounded since September 2006. [126483]
Mr. Ingram:
On 21 February 2007, after the discovery of dents in fuel lines, Nimrod MR2 flying
was suspended as a precautionary measure. Aircraft were cleared to fly again after checks of the fuel lines proved satisfactory with the first serviceable aircraft operating on 24 February 2007.
Red Arrows
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at which air shows and other events the Red Arrows appeared in each of the last five years. [127005]
Mr. Ingram: The Royal Air Force Acrobatic Team (RAFAT), popularly known as the Red Arrows, participated in the following air shows and events from 2002 to 2006:
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