PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS FROM PS2 THE LEADING U.K. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMPANY
Contact:
DEFENCE
HMS Dryad
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 13 June, Official Report, column 112W, on HMS Dryad, if he will make it his policy to ensure that, before marketing arrangements are made, the neighbouring local authorities are consulted in the event of a decision to dispose of the site of HMS Dryad; and if he will make a statement. [120316]
Mr. Caplin: It is already departmental policy to ensure that there is full consultation with all parties in the run up to any disposal, including with local authorities, English Heritage and the local community.
Iraq
Mr. Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated Iraqi civilian death toll is from when hostilities began to 28 August 2003. [128941]
Mr. Ingram : I refer the hon .Member to the answer I gave on 16 June 2003, Official Report, column 55W to the hon .Member for Lewes (Mr Baker).
Operation Telic
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many call out notices for reservists have been issued for Operation Telic; how many reservists have been accepted into service; and if he will make a statement. [128412]
Mr. Caplin: As at 29 August 2003 a total of 11,668 call-out notices had been served. 298 of these call-out notices were revoked before the individual reported for service. A total of 8,955 Reservists reported for service, of which 7,514 were accepted for service. Of those accepted for service, 4,236 have been demobilised after completing an operational tour.
Sonar
Mr. Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the effects upon marine mammals of low frequency active sonar operating at levels up to 240 decibels. [128949]
Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Sonar 2087, a Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) system. The ELA indicated that the sonar had the potential to be harmful to marine mammals. The effect is determined by the duration and frequency of the sound, as well as its intensity: the EIA looked at these at varying levels in different environmental conditions and developed a range of mitigation measures to minimise the impact. A copy of the EIA will be placed in the Library of the House later this month.
Mr. Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to introduce low frequency active sonar operating at levels up to 240 decibels in Royal Navy ships. [128950]
Mr. Ingram: We plan to fit Sonar 2087, a tactical, variable-depth, low frequency active and passive sonar to Type 23 Frigates during their refit cycle. It will replace the Type 23fs current passive towed array Sonar 2031 (where this is fitted) and will be integrated with the existing bow-mounted, active Sonar 2050. The system is expected to begin to enter operational service in 2006, once trials of the first production sets are complete.
DEFENCE
Afghanistan
Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on NATO’s leadership of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. [129034]
15 Sept 2003 : Column 506W
Mr. Hoon: Since 11 August 2003, NATO has given enhanced support to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul, including providing the Headquarters for the Force. NATO has made an excellent start in its new role and the Alliance is now looking at ways to make the ISAF still more effective.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on security operations in Afghanistan. [129067]
Mr. Ingram: Coalition operations against remnants of the Taliban and their terrorist supporters continue, especially in the South and East of Afghanistan.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on military support f