26 Mar 13. The Defence Committee will be publishing a report on Securing the Future of Afghanistan at 00.01 am (BST) on Wednesday 10 April 2013. This will be the Committee’s Tenth Report of Session 2012–13 (HC 413). The report will be made available on the Committee’s website, www.parliament.uk/defcom, on Wednesday 10 April 2013 and copies may be purchased from The Houses of Parliament Shop (12 Bridge Street, Westminster, London, SW1A 2JX) on the day of release.
Embargoed copies of the report will be available to the media and witnesses, including those from Government departments, on Tuesday 9 April from 9 am.
House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for Tuesday 26 March 2013
Type 45 Destroyers
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for Type 45 destroyers to participate in ballistic missile defence training with the US armed forces. [149366]
Mr Robathan: The UK has no plans to integrate UK warships into the US Ballistic Missile Defence programme for training or otherwise. However, a science and technology programme is in place to evaluate the Type 45 destroyer’s capabilities against difficult air targets and as part of this, a Type 45 has been invited to take part in a forthcoming US Ballistic Missile Defence trial.
House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for Monday 25 March 2013
Military Bases
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any 105mm light guns will be based in Scotland following the basing review. [149361]
Mr Francois: Following the outcome of the regular Army basing plan announced on 5 March 2013, Official Report, columns 845-48, 105mm light guns will continue to be based in Scotland with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery 7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery Royal Artillery at Royal Marines Condor, Arbroath. A small number of 105mm light guns are also held in Scotland for ceremonial purposes. The future location of any 105mm light guns with Army reserve units remains subject to the reserves announcement which is due before the summer recess.
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2013, Official Report, column 78W, on the Army Basing Plan, what overall valuation of the announced land disposals consequent on the Army Basing Review has been made for the purposes of his Department’s budgetary planning. [149548]
Mr Francois: Although the disposal of some sites formed part of the announcement, details of any pre-sale valuations obtained in advance of land disposals will not be released as to do so could unduly influence the market.
Military Bases: Edinburgh
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of housing stock at Craigiehall. [150205]
Mr Francois: The final requirement for Service Family Accommodation to support the revised structure of the armed forces in Edinburgh has not yet been confirmed.
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of service family accommodation at (a) Redford and (b) Dreghorn barracks will be used in each of the next five years; and which personnel are expected to be housed at each site during this period. [149872]
Mr Francois: The final requirement for Service Family Accommodation to support the revised structure of the armed forces in Edinburgh has not yet been confirmed.
Military Bases: Scotland
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the outcome of the Basing Review on the Defence Medical Services in Scotland. [149589]
Mr Francois: The provision of healthcare by the Defence Medical Services in Scotland should not be adversely affected by the Basing review. Healthcare provided at Defence medical and dental centres in Scotland will be adjusted if required to ensure service personnel continue to receive the highest standard of care.
RAF Leuchars
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask