PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS FROM PS2 THE LEADING U.K. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMPANY
Contact:
Evidence to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, by Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), 6 November 2002.
“He also indicated that the Forces would consider arming the new generation of unmanned aerial drones which they were currently in the process of procuring.
Originally it was intended they would just provide an unarmed aerial
reconnaissance capability, unlike the US Predator – which reportedly carried out the attack this week in Yemen on a car carrying six al Qaida suspects – which is armed with Hellfire anti-tank missiles.
Asked whether he though the British drones should now also be armed, Admiral Boyce said: “I would very much not close out that possibility at all. I would see that as being very much an attractive thing to explore.”
DEFENCE
Afghanistan
Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strategy is of coalition forces in Afghanistan; if they will take part in the provision of security beyond Kabul to achieve the ISAF effect; and what involvement in humanitarian activities they will have. [79686]
Mr. Hoon: Our objectives for the campaign against international terrorism, and for our forces in Afghanistan, were set out in the paper entitled “Defeating International Terrorism: Campaign Objectives”, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House of Commons on 16 October 2001. We continue to work towards achieving all these aims. As part of this, we are considering with our coalition partners who we might aid the Islamic Transitional Authority of Afghanistan to stabilize further Afghanistan’s regions. No decisions on what that might involve have been taken.
Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will define the International Security Assistance Force effect outside of Kabul; and if he will make a statement on how it will be created. [798685]
Mr. Hoon: The International Security Assistance Force has helped the Afghan authorities to restore and maintain stability within Kabul. We are considering with our coalition partners how we might help the Islamic Transitional Authority of Afghanistan to stabilize further other areas of Afghanistan, but no decisions have yet been taken.
Fire Service Cover
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many green goddess fire engines will be
5 Nov 2002 : Column 168W
deployed in the Portsmouth South constituency if the fire brigades union takes action; how many servicemen will man each appliance; from what duties they are to be withdrawn from to provide fire service cover; and if he will make a statement. [78968]
Mr. Ingram: Three green goddess fire engines will be based in Portsmouth. The command structure is designed to ensure flexibility when deploying emergency fire cover, and where necessary resources may be deployed from adjacent areas.
Each green goddess has a crew of six per shift, with two shifts, each of 12 hours, providing 24-hour cover. The personnel involved may be withdrawn from a variety of other duties, depending on changing circumstances.
Gunwharf Site
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the Ministry of Defence, in setting a figure for the disposal of the Gunwharf and HMS Vernon site in Portsmouth to Barclays Homes, took into account the Portsmouth City Council plan for the development of the site; and if he will make a statement; [78516]
(2) what assessment has been made of the potential value of the redeveloped Gunwharf and HMS Vernon site in Portsmouth against the disposal value; and if he will make a statement; [78514]
(3) whether the Ministry of Defence has reserved the right to claw back money on the Gunwharf and HMS Vernon site in Portsmouth if the development brief is altered to bring about a substantial increase in the value of the site; and if he will make a statement; [78515]
(