PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS FROM PS2 THE LEADING U.K. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMPANY
Contact:
DEFENCE
2 Princess of Wales Regiment
Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) under whose operational command 2 Princess of Wales Regiment will serve for the duration of their deployment outside their tactical area of responsibility; [222219]
(2) if he will make a statement on the (a) purpose and (b) duration of the deployment of 2 Princess of Wales Regiment outside their tactical area of responsibility. [222220]
Mr. Ingram: The 2nd Battalion, the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (2PWRR) is currently part of the UK-led Multinational Division (South East) (MND(SE)). Elements of 2PWRR have recently relocated to Al Muthanna province within the MND(SE) area of operations. They deployed as part of a Battlegroup, based on the Queens Dragoon Guards, which is providing framework security and conducting security sector reform in that province. That Battlegroup will continue to carry out those tasks until they are replaced, either by another UK Battlegroup or by a coalition partner.
All elements of 2PWRR remain under the operational command of the General Officer Commanding MND(SE), with the exception of one platoon which is currently located in Baghdad, where it provides force protection to senior British military personnel. This is a longstanding deployment which predates the arrival of 2PWRR in Iraq.
RAF Manual of Flight Safety
Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 February 2005, Official Report, column 779W, on RAF Manual of Flight Safety, if he will place a copy of the Seventh Edition of AP 3207 in the Library. [217052]
Mr. Ingram: I have placed a copy of the seventh Edition of AP 3207 (incorporating Amendment lists 1–3) in the Library of the House today.
Resource Account Codes
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a description of 2004–05 resource account codes (a) GXXWA0 and (b) LM003. [221980]
Mr. Ingram: The descriptions are as follows:
GXXWAO
Cost Communication with Flag Officer Training and Recruitment
LMA003
United Kingdom National Insurance Civilian Staff—Loan–United States Air Force Accruing Superannuation.
DEFENCE
Defence Aviation Repair Agency
Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is considering (a) a sale or (b) a privatisation of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency. [222639]
Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence is conducting a review of the potential future status options for DARA and its Business Units. This work is being carried out without prejudice or preconception. The analysis currently being done by Morgan Stanley to test market interest does not, in any sense, imply that we see sale to the private sector as a preferred option, and any industry interest in any of DARA’s business units will be judged impartially against a full range of options, including retaining DARA in-house. The criteria for any final decision will be quality of support to the front line and overall value for money. I aim to reach conclusions about the way forward for DARA, if at all possible, by the middle of 2005.
Future Rapid Effects System
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the defence procurement budget is allocated to the Future Rapid Effects System for each year from 2007 to 2010. [211254]
Mr. Ingram: The Future Rapid Effect System is in its initial assessment phase. Firm decisions on costs and timescales for the programme will not be made until the main procurement decision.
Maritime Coherence Baseline
Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the purpose is of the Maritime Coherence Baseline concept; when it will be implemented; and if he will make a statement. [221346]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 14 March 2005]: The Maritime Coherence Study Baseline is the core programme emerging from the Maritime Co