PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
27 Mar 09. Red Dragon: National Audit Office (NAO) Report. The NAO published (27 Mar 09) a Report on The Red Dragon Project, a plan between the MoD and the Welsh Authorities for the development of the St Athan site in South Wales. An MoD change of policy in 2003 meant that aircraft repairs would be carried out at RAF front-line bases and not at St Athan, with a consequent waste of money. However, the ‘super hangar’ constructed at St Athan is now to be used as part of the proposed Defence Training Academy.
Comment: The Report is of general interest only as an example of how not to conduct central Government business. HC 296 costs £26:60, for which the purchaser has the Report in both English and Welsh! (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/16, 20 Apr 09)
30 Mar 09. Report and Accounts: Defence Committee Report. The Defence Committee published (30 Mar 09) a Report on the MoD’s Annual Report and Accounts 2007/08. The Report examines the administration, expenditure, activities and achievements of the MoD during the 2007/08 financial year, as described by the MoD in its Report and Accounts published on 21 Jul 08.
Comment: The Report is available as HC 214 for £14.50. Aspects of the Report are likely to be addressed when the Committee takes evidence from the Defence Secretary on Tue 28 Apr 09. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/16, 20 Apr 09)
Lords Hansard text for 20 Apr 2009
Armed Forces: Accommodation
Asked by Lord Selkirk of Douglas: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following publication of the Service Family Accommodation Condition Survey for England and Wales, a comparable survey is being carried out in Scotland; and, if not, whether they will commission one. [HL2725]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): An Asset Condition Survey of the Service Family Accommodation in Scotland is expected to be completed by spring 2011.
Armed Forces: Aircraft
Asked by Lord Moonie: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what trials have been carried out using 100 per cent synthetic fuels for Royal Air Force aircraft; what trials are planned; what obstacles there are to carrying out trials; and what supplies of synthetic fuels for flying purposes are available. [HL2344]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): No trials have so far been carried out using 100 per cent synthetic fuel for Royal Air Force aircraft. A recent attempt to conduct such a trial on an opportunity basis had to be cancelled as it did not prove possible to obtain authorisation from an aircraft design authority for use of the synthetic fuel. Aircraft design authorities will need to be satisfied that alternative fuels are safe and will not adversely affect fuel system life or integrity before endorsing their use. There is currently only one approved source of synthetic aviation fuel and supplies are limited.
House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 20 Apr 2009
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what joint UK/EU development funding has been made available to armoured vehicle manufacturers in each year since 2004; in respect of which vehicles such development funding has been provided; and what plans he has for further such funding in the next 10 years. [269814]
Mr. Quentin Davies: There has been no joint UK/EU development funding available to military armoured vehicle manufactures and there are no current plans for such funding.
AWE Management
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a)
public-private partnership and (b) private finance initiative arrangements may be put in place under the AWE Aldermaston management contract. [269710]
Mr. Quentin Davies: There are no plans to put in place public-private
partnership or private finance initiative arrangements under the Ministry of Defence’s contract