PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS FROM PS2 THE LEADING U.K. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMPANY
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DEFENCE
Military Spectrum (Spare Capacity)
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the spare capacity in the military spectrum for commercial use; and if he has valued that spare capacity. [14420]
Mr. Ingram: I assume that this question refers to commercial use of the electromagnetic spectrum.
We work closely with the Radiocommunications Agency to assess continuously where spare capacity can be made available for new commercial services from within the radio spectrum that is managed by the Ministry of Defence to meet current and planned operational and training commitments.
The Ministry is currently engaged in releasing the majority of the 410 to 430 MHz band for use by digital public mobile radio services. The value placed on the spectrum already released to the Radiocommunications Agency is £3.5 million per annum. The remainder should be released in 2003 and has a current value of £4.3 million per annum. About 36 MHz of currently MOD managed spectrum is also to be made available for the extension of the 800/900 MHz bands for digital mobile phones and other digital personal mobile radio services. This would be valued at £4.3 million per annum. Spectrum for fixed wireless services in the 3.4 GHz band has very recently been released, with a value of £80,000 per annum. These valuations are based on current spectrum charges that apply equally to civil and military users.
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason he has not answered the question from the hon. Member for Buckingham tabled on 12 November 2001 asking what assessment he has made of the spare capacity in the military spectrum for commercial use; and if he has valued that spare capacity. [47793]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 10 April 2002]: I replied to the hon. Member today.
Defence Medical Services (Afghanistan)
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements exist for the medical treatment of UK personnel undertaking (a) Operation Fingal and (b) Operation Jacuna, stating in each case the level of support from (i) the UK Defence Medical Services in Afghanistan, (ii) the Defence Medical Services of other nations deployed in Afghanistan, (iii) medical services based in the UK and (iv) medical services based in other countries; and if he will make a statement. [51423]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 24 April 2002]: There is a robust medical infrastructure in place to support United Kingdom forces in Afghanistan. Primary health care facilities are available at the unit level and are supported by 34 Field Hospital at Bagram airfield.
Where individuals require evacuation from Theatre they are moved using tactical and strategic RAF aeromedical evacuation assets to a UK field hospital in the region and then on to the Centre for Defence Medicine, in Birmingham or other specialist hospitals in the UK, as required.
As a means of making sensible use of international medical facilities in Afghanistan, UK forces deployed in the country may also use the Czech Field Hospital. UK personnel serving with the International Security Assistance Force may additionally have access to the German Field Hospital and French Dressing Station in Kabul. German and French tactical aeromedical aircraft are also available for evacuation from Afghanistan. In certain circumstances, the United States may provide medical care or aeromedical assistance to Operation Jacana forces.
Other nations may also make their medical facilities available to us from time to time.
Private Sector Hospitals
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the MOD has contracted private sector hospitals to provide medical services in each of the last 12 months; and what the total cost to the MOD budget of contracting private sector hospitals to provide medical serv