May 07. Medical Care: Defence Committee Inquiry. The Defence Committee intends to hold an Inquiry into Medical Care for the Armed Forces. The aim of the Inquiry is “to examine the issues related to Service medical care” in order to make recommendations. Comment: In addition to the usual written and oral evidence, the Committee is inviting those directly concerned with Service medical care to take part in a web-based forum (http//:forums.parliament.uk/defence-medical). (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0722, 04 Jun 07)
Afghanistan: Apache AH-64 Helicopter
Mr. Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what technical problems have delayed the deployment of Apache helicopters to Afghanistan.
Des Browne: There has been no delay in the deployment of Apache Helicopters to Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Peace Keeping Operations
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Desert Hawk mini-unmanned aerial vehicles have been (a) lost and (b) damaged beyond repair in Afghanistan.
Des Browne: A total of 15 Desert Hawk (1+ variant) Air Vehicles have been lost on operations in Afghanistan in the period up to 24 April 2007. In the same period, one Desert Hawk Air Vehicle has been damaged Beyond Economic Repair.
Armed Forces: Deployment
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are located outside the United Kingdom. [137079]
Derek Twigg [pursuant to the reply, 21 May 2007, Official Report, c. 1047W]: The
figure of 15,220 armed forces personnel deployed on operations outside the UK was incorrect for which I apologise. The correct answer should read; As at 30 April 2007, 15,010 armed forces personnel were deployed on operations outside the UK.
Armed Forces: Expenditure
Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the budget is
for the up keep of the garden at the residence of (a) the General Officer
Commanding Northern Ireland and (b) the Commander in Chief Land. [134232]
Derek Twigg: The main element of expenditure in relation to garden maintenance at official service residences relates to salary costs, and I refer the hon.
Member to the answer I gave on 15 May 2007, Official Report, column 629W. Any additional expenditure on garden maintenance is usually very modest and is not identified separately in forward budgets.
Armed Forces: Housing
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the (a) availability and (b) adequacy of accommodation for phase 3 of the Army Recruiting and Training Division draft Man Plan 2007; and if he will make a statement. [138745]
Derek Twigg: The Army Recruiting and Training Division (ARTD) maintains a running assessment of the volume, standard and availability of its accommodation. Based on current, predicted patterns of attendance, this is assessed to be sufficient to deliver phase 3 Training in Financial Year 2007-08. Army accommodation, including that in ARTD, is subject to ongoing upgrade programmes.
Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was charged for damages to occupants of Modern Housing Solutions housing in each financial
year since 1997. [139769]
Derek Twigg: Modern Housing Solutions has been responsible for maintenance of
Service Families Accommodation in England and Wales only since 2006. Relevant records of charges since 1997 are not held centrally and service housing has been subject to changes of organisation. It will take a little time to determine what details are available and in what form. Once our inquiries are
complete, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Occupant’s
Handbook will be made available to occupants of Modern Housing Solutions housing. [139770]
Derek Twigg: It is planned that the Occupants Handbook will be issued to
occ