10 Jun 11. Piracy: New Inquiry. The Foreign Affairs Committee announced (10 Jun 11) that it is to examine the role of the FCO in support of UK and international action to combat the increasing levels of piracy off the coast of Somalia. The Committee is due to take Oral Evidence on: 22 Jun, 29 Jun & 6 Jul 11. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 11/23, 13 Jun 11)
House of Commons Hansard Ministerial Statements for 10 Jun 2011
Guided Weapons
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of repair to Apache helicopters attributable to the firing of Hellfire missiles has been in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
Peter Luff: According to available records there have been three reported incidents of damage to the Apache helicopter attributable to the firing of Hellfire missiles. Each incident occurred in 2009. Two involved panel damage and the third was to the aircraft’s horizontal stabilator. All repair work was carried out at squadron level by army personnel. Apart from labour costs, the only other cost of repair was that of a panel which was scrapped and replaced costing £19,000. The aircraft with damage to the horizontal stabilator was fitted with a new composite horizontal stabilator which was in the process of being embodied across the Apache fleet.
HMS Endurance
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the cost of maintaining HMS Endurance in the next three years; and if he will make a statement; [58705]
(2) what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of commissioning a new ice-breaker to replace HMS Endurance; and if he will make a statement. [58707]
Peter Luff: We anticipate making a decision on whether to repair or replace HMS Endurance next year. Until this decision is taken and any resulting competitive process completed, no information can be provided on how much it will cost to maintain HMS Endurance or how much it would cost to commission a new ice breaker. I can, however, confirm that the berthing of HMS Endurance is currently being undertaken at no additional cost to the Department.
HMS Protector
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the public purse has been of refitting HMS Protector; and if he will make a statement.
Peter Luff: On 22 March 2011 the Department signed a contract, worth £26million, for an interim replacement Ice Patrol Ship, which has been named HMS Protector, In addition, the Department is spending approximately £3.2 million converting her for Royal Navy use, including fitting military task equipment such as survey boats and communications equipment.
Libya: Armed Conflict
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the military and associated action taken in Libya since the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1973.
Dr Fox: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 11 May 2011, Official Report, column 1208W to the hon. Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn).
House of Commons Hansard Ministerial Statements for 08 Jun 2011
Military Low Flying 2010-11
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Andrew Robathan): The amount of low-flying training carried out in the UK low-flying system during the training year 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 was the minimum required for aircrew to reach and maintain their ability to fly at low level. A total of 49,151 hours of low-flying training were conducted across all low-flying areas. In comparative terms, there was an decrease of 8,369 hours, or approximately 14.6% on the previous training year due to the withdrawal of Harrier GR7/9 from service, and the additional operational deployment of Tornado GR4s to Italy as part of the NATO force conducting operations in Libya. The amount of operational low flying (between 250 feet and 100 feet) by fixed wing aircraft was 2