PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
Jun 07. Politics: Party Conferences. The Liberal Democrats’ Party Conference is to be held from 15 to 20 Sep 07; the Labour Party Conference from 23 to 27 Sep 07 and the Conservative Party Conference from 30 Sep to 3 Oct 07. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0724, 18 Jun 07)
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) mines, (b)
mortar rounds, (c) projectiles by calibre, (d) missiles and (e) air dropped weapons were expended by members of UK armed forces as part of the NATO deployment in Afghanistan in each of the last six months. [142850]
Mr. Ingram: I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Aircraft Carriers: Procurement
Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the delay in the construction of the two new aircraft carriers for the UK has resulted in job losses at dockyards. [143442]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 18 June 2007]: No date has been set for commencement of manufacture of the future aircraft carriers and there has, therefore, been no delay. The main investment decision will be taken when we are confident that we have a robust, affordable deal.
Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on dockyards in the UK if the Government decides to collaborate with France in the construction of the proposed two new aircraft carriers for the UK; [143444]
(2) what talks have taken place with members of the aircraft carrier alliance on the involvement of France in the construction of the proposed two new aircraft
carriers for the UK; [143445]
(3) what discussions there have been with trades unions about the involvement of
France in the construction of the proposed two new aircraft carriers for the UK;
[143446]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer s 18 June 2007]: We have always stressed that co-operation with France through industry-to-industry links may offer potential
benefits to both nations. This was covered most recently when my noble Friend the Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support, Lord Drayson met with the Trade Unions and the Aircraft Carrier Alliance Chief Executive last month.
It has been agreed with France that for co-operation to work, it must deliver cost savings and must do so without delaying UK or French programmes.
Armed Forces: Dental Services
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the duties are of each defence dental personnel role; how many hours per week those in each role are expected to devote to the provision of dental care; and how many patients those in each role saw in each of the last five years. [138790]
Derek Twigg: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Armed Forces: Deployment
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) location and
(b) number of personnel was for each operational deployment in 1997. [119056]
Mr. Ingram: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at
disproportionate cost.
Armed Forces: Housing
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much HM Treasury has passed to the Ministry of Defence from monies received from Annington Homes in connection with sales of former Ministry of Defence housing and land in (a) the UK and (b) Colchester. [121129]
Derek Twigg: These monies enter a consolidated general cash account and are not
paid back to the Ministry of Defence directly by Her Majesty’s Treasury.
Armed Forces: Pay
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed service personnel have received a tax free bonus for service in (a) Iraq, (b) Afghanistan and (c) the Balkans since October 2006. [142594]
Derek Twigg: The Information broken down by operational thea