18 Jun 14. Foreign Affairs Committee. The UK should signal more clearly to the US that it should not use Diego Garcia for rendition without prior permission, says the Foreign Affairs Committee. In a report published today, the Foreign Affairs Committee says that the text of the Agreement with the US permitting use of Diego Garcia for defence purposes should be revised. It should specify that any extraordinary use of the US base or facilities, such as combat operations or any other politically sensitive activity, requires prior approval from the UK Government, and it should state explicitly that the British Indian Ocean Territory should not be used for rendition unless authority has first been granted by the UK Government, on a case by case basis. Public confidence in the UK’s ability to exercise control over its sovereign territory was dented in 2008 when it emerged that information supplied by the US on its rendition programme since 2001 had been inaccurate. The UK was not informed about two flights which had refuelled at Diego Garcia, carrying detainees. Existing arrangements for the US to seek permission for rendition or other politically sensitive activities appear to be “entirely informal”, and the Committee recommends that they should now be built into the text of the formal Agreement between the US and UK on the use of Diego Garcia, which is due to be extended in 2016. Sir Richard Ottaway, Chairman of the Committee, said, “This is about building confidence. The Government relied on US assurances on its use of Diego Garcia, and in 2008 these proved to be inaccurate. That severely damaged credibility. The British public is entitled to know that the UK is able to exercise control over its sovereign territory and what happens there. The Agreement between the UK and the US on use of Diego Garcia is coming up for renewal, and we think the Government should take the
House of Commons Written Answers 18 June 2014
Defence Support Group
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new buildings his Department plans to provide for the use of the private sector partner taking over the Defence Support Group; and what the potential cost to the public purse is of such provision. [200326]
Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence does not intend to provide any new buildings as part of the sale of the Defence Support Group. But as part of our planned drawdown from Germany there will be a requirement to provide controlled humidity environment storage facilities as part of Army 2020.
HMS Ocean
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Ocean will be declared fit to deploy; and when she will depart on Exercise Cougar 14. [200900]
Mr Francois: HMS Ocean is completing refit and will soon put to sea. However, I am withholding precise details of HMS Ocean’s future programme as their disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
House of Commons Written Answers 17 June 2014
HMS Illustrious
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the planned out-of-service date for HMS Illustrious has been brought forward; what the new date is; and who took the decision to change that date. [199753]
Mr Dunne: As first announced on 15 December 2010, Official Report, column 102WS, HMS Illustrious will retire from service this year. No final decision has been made on the specific date.
HMS Ocean will shortly finish her extensive refit and take over as the Royal Navy’s landing platform helicopter ship.
House of Commons Written Answers 16 June 2014
Military Aircraft
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to confirm the decision to allow a process change to enable the Rivet Joint signal intelligence aircraft to be certificated under Military Aviation Authority regulations. [199247]
Mr Dunne: The UK Rivet Joint could not be certified under Military Avia