PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS FROM PS2 THE LEADING U.K. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMPANY
Contact: ps2@btinternet.com

Notices given on Wednesday 23rd October

(77763)
35

Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the companies which have submitted bids for the military trucks contract; and when an announcement on the award of the contract will be made.

(77601)
36

Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what role NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe will play in cases where an EU-led crisis operation does not use NATO assets.

(77816)
37

Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the membership of the International Interoperability Council is; what its objectives are; and if he will make a statement on its method of proceeding.

(77791)
38

Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the European Rapid Reaction Force will be operational; and if he will make a statement.

(77812)
39

Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations he has received from the US Administration regarding NATO’s plans to set up a rapid deployment force unit; and if he will make a statement.

(77789)
41

Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what arrangements have been concluded that will allow the non-EU European NATO members and other countries which are candidates for accession to the EU to contribute to EU military crisis management.

(77817)
43

Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to publish the Defence White Paper promised for 2003.

(77788)
44

Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the definitions of (a) European Security and Defence Policy and (b) European Security and Defence Identity.

(77813)
45

Mr Bernard Jenkin (North Essex): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the UK contribution to the proposed NATO rapid deployment force unit will be; and if he will make a statement.

Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 22 October 2002
DEFENCE
Plutonium
Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much plutonium owned by his Department has been (a) considered for export and (b) exported to the Valduc facility in France as part of a joint project with the United States Department of Energy and the Commissariat . . L’Energie Atomique and Cogema in France, for test assemblies for plutonium MOX fuel rods, since 31 January 2000. [75459]
Dr. Lewis Moonie MP: None.
Weapons Decontamination
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Her Majesty’s Government’s contingency plans for the decontamination of British weapons systems covered by (a) Sarin, (b) Soman, (c) Ebola, (d) VX and (e) other similar long-lasting substances. [76179]
Mr. Adam Ingram [holding answer 21 October 2002]: In the first instance we seek to deter the use of chemical or biological warfare agents against our forces, or those of our Allies. We have made it plain that the United Kingdom would take an extremely serious view of this step and that it would invite a proportionately serious response.
In the event of a release of chemical or biological agents we would seek to avoid direct exposure, and hence contamination, by using equipment and procedures that detect chemical or biological threats, warn of hazards and protect personnel. If exposure is unavoidable, individuals are equipped to decontaminate themselves and their personal equipment, and units to carry out decontamination to allow them to continue operating. Additional processes would be followed at the end of an operation.
Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System Rocket
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of