PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

8 May 2008
Publication of the Government’s response to the Defence Committee’s report on Medical care for the Armed Forces
The Defence Committee will be publishing Medical care for the Armed Forces: Government Response to the Committee’s Seventh Report of Session 2007–08, HC 500, as its Sixth Special Report of Session 2007–08, at 11 am on Friday 9 May 2008.
The report is already formally published online on the Committee web page at the link below and so is in the public domain already
http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/GovtResponsetomedicalcareforthearmedforces.pdf

Lords Hansard Written Answers

Tuesday 6 May 2008

Armed Forces: Surveillance and Reconnaissance

Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty’s Government: How much they have contributed to the cost of the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition in each financial year since the project began in 2005; what their further financial commitments are; and how this money is provided. [HL3256]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): The UK’s contribution to date has been €103,000 in 2005, €140,000 in 2006 and €142,000 in 2007. Further financial commitments are €150,000 in 2008 and €46,000 in 2009. The money is paid by MoD to the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) under an MOU technical arrangement between NC3A and the participating nations.

Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty’s Government: What proportion of the total cost of the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition they provide. [HL3257]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The UK contributes 11 per cent of the programme costs.

Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty’s Government: What steps they are taking to ensure that the output of the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition is embodied in the resources available under the Berlin Plus arrangement for military operations conducted by the European Union. [HL3258]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The interoperability benefits delivered by the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition (MAJIIC) project to the seven EU participants will also be available between participants regardless of the coalition configuration.

Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty’s Government: What is the link between United Kingdom assets, such as the ASTOR aircraft and the work of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratories, and the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition. [HL3259]

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: We currently expect that ASTOR output will become available to NATO allies through Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition (MAJIIC) capabilities. Dstl has played an important advisory role in the ASTOR and MAJIIC programmes.

Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty’s Government: What steps they have taken to ensure that the equipment of the United Kingdom Armed Forces is fully compatible with the findings and recommendations of the Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition; and what further steps they will take in this regard. [HL3260]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The UK DABINETT programme, which aims to improve the quality and timeliness of the intelligence delivered to commanders, will encompass the interfaces required for interoperability with coalition partners in order to share data. The Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition (MAJIIC) project work on technical interfaces, harmonisation of international standards and the developmen