PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS FROM PS2 THE LEADING U.K. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMPANY, Contact: ps2@btinternet.com
EDM 1120
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE PROCUREMENT POLICIES 04.05.04
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Keith Bradley Peter Bradley Mr Ronnie Campbell
Mr Martin Caton Mr Andrew Dismore Jim Dobbin
Mr David Drew Paul Flynn Mr Mike Hancock
Mr Lindsay Hoyle Mr David Kidney Mr Eric Martlew
Mr Kevin McNamara Mr Gordon Prentice Mrs Iris Robinson
The Reverend Martin Smyth Bob Spink Mr Graham Stringer
Dr Rudi Vis
20 signatures
That this House questions the wisdom of the Ministry of Defence’s procurement policies, as it has been revealed that during the major hostilities in Iraq, the Swiss Government refused to honour an ammunition contract seemingly for political reasons and suspended deliveries which could have had horrific consequences; and therefore believes that any such contracts for vital equipment and goods needed by British forces, which would be used during times of conflict, should in future be supplied by British companies wherever possible.
As an Amendment to Mr Gerry Steinberg’s proposed Motion (MINISTRY OF DEFENCE PROCUREMENT POLICIES):
EDM 1120A1
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE PROCUREMENT POLICIES Amdt. line 4: 11.05.04
Mr John McWilliam
1 signature Line 4, after ‘consequences’; insert ‘recalls that during the previous Gulf War the Belgian government refused to supply FHYO heavy artillery rounds which had previously been manufactured in the Royal Ordnance factory in Birtley;’
DEFENCE
Iraq
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken since the end of the Iraq war to monitor levels of uranium in (a) milk and (b) drinking water. [166869]
Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence will provide advice on carrying out risk assessments on depleted uranium (DU) within urban areas and on long-term monitoring of DU in the environment, to the United Nations Environment Programme.
Al Yamamah Contracts
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with BAE Systems regarding the proposed disposal of its shipbuilding business; and if he will make a statement. [170750]
Mr. Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has had one approach from BAE Systems to discuss procedure. However, no proposals have been received from the company regarding change of ownership or control of its ship building business.
Atomic Weapons Establishment
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on current and future research and development projects to be undertaken by the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, Berkshire. [170210]
Mr. Ingram: The research and development activities undertaken at AWE are designed to ensure the safe stewardship of the UK’s stockpile of Trident warheads and our ability to maintain the capability necessary to meet the policy described in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review. As indicated in Paragraph 3.11 of the Defence White Paper of December 2003 (Cm 6041-1), this includes the need to take appropriate steps to ensure that the range of options for maintaining a nuclear deterrent capability is kept open until decisions are required on whether to replace Trident. This policy is consistent with our international treaty obligations. Research and development activities fall under four principal headings: computer simulation; hydrodynamics; high energy density plasma physics; and materials ageing. The precise nature and scope in the future of such programmes will depend on the outcome of the processes referred to in the December 2003 Defence White Paper.
Contract Cancellations
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure was incurred by his Department at the cancellation of (a) Counter Anti-Radiation Missile Suite, (b) Mine Detection and Neutralisation and (c) Microwave Landing System in 2003-04