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Statement on completion of analysis of low flying activity in the United Kingdom. - Includes fact that intend to improve the way in which the overall amount of low-flying activity is managed and the methods by which detailed statistics are recorded, to try to redistribute this activity more equitably. A...

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

For answer on

20 March 1997

Answered on

20 March 1997

Mr. Mans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the analysis of low-flying activity in the United Kingdom has been completed; and if he will make a statement. [21676] Mr. Soames: The analysis has been completed, from which it is clear that, although close attention has been paid to the need to balance military training demands against the avoidance of undue disturbance to the public, variations in the intensity of such activity across the country still exist. Although this is, in part, unavoidable because of operational and geographic factors such as the location of aircraft operating bases, aircraft range, avoidance areas, controlled airspace and weather conditions, we concluded that, even within these constraints, further efforts should be made to manage the activity as equitably as possible. We therefore intend to improve the way in which the overall amount of low-flying activity is managed and the methods by which detailed statistics are recorded. This latter initiative will be a valuable tool in monitoring the effectiveness of the measures to try to redistribute this activity more equitably. In addition, the three services, individually and collectively, will pay greater attention to the areas that they choose in the UK for military exercises in an effort to spread the low-flying training aspects of them as evenly as practicable. Last summer, we announced measures to spread operational low-flying-- that beneath 250 ft--more evenly between the three tactical training areas. Efforts will continue to reduce still further the amount of operational low-flying training. The scope for increasing the amount of low-flying training carried out overseas will be actively pursued. A statement on the distribution of military low flying in the UK low-flying systems will be published annually. I have today placed in the Library of the House a paper giving a more detailed account of the analysis of the distribution of low-flying activity in the UKLFS. Further copies of the paper can be obtained from the following address: Ministry of Defence (Room 8247) Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21676; 292 c860-1W;292 c860W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

Statement on current estimate of the cost of acquiring the Trident Strategic Weapon System. - Includes fact that current estimate of the total acquisition cost is £12,570 million. Detailed report on Trident programme in Library (DEP/3 4906).

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

For answer on

20 March 1997

Answered on

20 March 1997

Mr. Mans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current estimate of the cost of acquiring the Trident strategic weapon system, and if he will make a statement. [21672] Mr. Portillo: The current estimate of the total acquisition cost of the Trident programme, with all expenditure, including payments already made, brought up to current prices and the exchange rate assumed in the latest long-term costing of the defence programme, is £12,570 million. If payments already made are expressed at the prices and exchange rates actually incurred, with future spend at current economic conditions, the estimate is now £9,955 million. Expenditure on Trident acquisition to 30 September 1996 represented some 86 per cent. of the latter estimate. The revised estimate of £12,570 million represents a real cost reduction of £29 million since last year. The figures show a cash increase of £417 million, but inflation since last year adds £377 million and exchange rate charges add £69 million. The new total therefore reflects increased efficiency in delivering the programme. The programme also continues to show an overall reduction in real terms on its original 1982 estimate. This reduction, including the savings resulting from the decision to process missiles at the United States facility at Kings Bay, Georgia now stands at over £3.6 billion. The proportion of the estimate for work undertaken in the United Kingdom is around 70 per cent. I am pleased to confirm that HMS Vigilant, the third of the four planned Vanguard class submarines, was commissioned on time toward the end of last year and is now engaged in work-up trials. Progress with the fourth submarine, vengeance, also remains satisfactory. I am, as in previous years, sending to the Chairmen of the Public Accounts Committee and of the Select Committee on Defence a more detailed report on the programme. I am also placing a copy of this report in the Library of the House.

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21672; 292 c858W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

Statement on when he expects to publish the report of the Office for Public Management on ethnic minority employment initiatives in his Department. - Includes fact that report published today and placed in Library. Report covers a six-month review of both service and MOD civilian recruitment practices and makes recommendations...

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

For answer on

20 March 1997

Answered on

20 March 1997

Mr. Mans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the report of the Office for Public Management on ethnic minority employment initiatives in his Department; and if he will make a statement. [21673] Mr. Soames: I have today placed a copy of the Office for Public Management report in the Library of the House. The report covers a six-month review of both service and MOD civilian recruitment practices and makes a number of recommendations which have now been considered within my Department. We accept the broad thrust of the report. While there are different messages for the armed forces and the MOD civil service in what the consultants found, there is much common ground, primarily concerning the development of goals in which ethnic diversity is a central theme. It is clear that, while some advances have been made, more can and should be undertaken, if the Department is to see an increase in the numbers of ethnic minority personnel employed in both the armed forces and the civil service in MOD. My Department is committed to reflecting more closely the ethnic balance of the United Kingdom. This is an issue which must be met positively and which requires unambiguous leadership from those at the top of the armed forces and the civil service to ensure that, in the armed forces and MOD, all can work and realise their full potential without fear of racial prejudice, discrimination or harassment. All personnel have responsibilities for ensuring that greater efforts are made to remove any unacceptable attitudes and must, individually, play their part in ensuring that the Department and the services are seen by all as organisations in which racial equality is fully embraced.

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21673; 292 c858-9W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

Statement about the change of the boundary of the Royal Air Force Training Group Defence Agency.

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

For answer on

20 March 1997

Answered on

20 March 1997

Mr. Mans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the change of the boundary of the RAF Training Group Defence Agency. [21675] Mr. Soames: On 1 April 1997, the boundary of the Royal Air Force Training Group Defence Agency will be enlarged to incorporate all of Royal Air Force personnel and training command assets and functions at Royal Air Force Cranwell, together with the non-operational training policy function previously undertaken by the command's headquarters. The changes better focus the air officer commanding-in-chief's responsibilities for training policy, delivery of training, recruitment and selection. The rebrigading of assets and functions under the chief executive of the Training Group Defence Agency will deliver more coherent management and improved use of resources across a wider range of activities than hitherto. The result of the changes is a single defence agency responsible for the recruitment and selection of all Royal Air Force personnel and the policy and delivery of all Royal Air Force non-operational training. The chief executive of the agency has been set the following targets for financial year 1997-98: Key Target 1--Quality Achievement of customer satisfaction with the quality of graduate trainees as reflected in customer advisory committee reports to the air officer commanding-in-chief. Target for 1997-98--95 per cent. Key Target 2--Efficiency To deliver the savings that accrue from the efficiencies agreed in long-term costings 1997, together with full cost items. Target for 1997-98--£8.258 million. Key Target 3a--Quantity of Output (Flying Training) The percentage of trained aircrew delivered against RAF requirements. Target for 1997-98--96 per cent. Key Target 3b--Quantity of Output (Ground Training) The percentage of trained personnel delivered against RAF requirements. Target for 1997-98--97 per cent. Key Target 4--Human Resources To implement the investors in people initiative. Target for 1997- 98 implement at RAF College Cranwell, No. 1 RS RAF Locking, TDSU RAF Halton. Key Target 5--Development of Output Costings and Unit Cost Measures To undertake a cost attribution exercise which will contribute to the development of full output costings and associated unit cost and efficiency measures for the agency by financial year 2000-01. Target for 1997-98--completion of cost attribution exercise.

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21675; 292 c859-60W;292 c859W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

When he intends to report to Parliament on the implementation of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1992, as required by section 10. - Inc ref to 264 c711-2W.

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

292 c726-7W;292 c728W; 21634

House

House of Commons

Dept of Social Security

If the proposals under Basic Pension Plus affect the accrued rights of existing contributors to the state pension scheme.

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Social Security

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21521; 292 c907W

House

House of Commons

Dept of Social Security

If an individual's pension fund under the Basic Pension Plus proposals goes to his estate on his death.

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Social Security

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21519; 292 c908W

House

House of Commons

Dept of Social Security

What plans he has to consult on the proposals under Basic Pension Plus.

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Social Security

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21520; 292 c905W

House

House of Commons

Dept of Social Security

If he will comment on survivors' benefits under Basic Pension Plus.

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Social Security

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21518; 292 c905W

House

House of Commons

Dept of National Heritage

When she expects to provide National Lottery awards information based on the new parliamentary constituency boundaries.(Not printed in Daily Part).

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of National Heritage

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21569; 292 Not in daily part;292 c704W

House

House of Commons

WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL AND THE IMPOSITION OF CAR PARKING CHARGES

That this House condemns the action of Wyre Labour Council in its decision to impose charges for the parking of motor cars in certain car parks within the borough; notes that none of the Labour councillors indicated their intention of doing so at the time of their election; is concerned...

Primary sponsor

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Type

Early day motions

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

717

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

Statement on defence agency status for personnel security vetting within his Department. - Includes fact that three single service vetting units and part of the Directorate of Headquarters Security will be brought together to form the Defence Vetting Agency. Copies of the agencys framework document and corporate plan to be...

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

For answer on

20 March 1997

Answered on

20 March 1997

Mr. Mans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about defence agency status for personnel security vetting within his Department. [21674] Mr. Soames: On 1 April 1997, the three single service vetting units and part of the Directorate of Headquarters Security will be brought together to form the Defence Vetting Agency. The aim of the agency is to provide an acceptable level of assurance as to the integrity of personnel in the armed forces, the MOD and Defence industry who are given authorised access to sensitive Government information or valuable assets. In addition, the agency will undertake vetting work for other Government Departments on a repayment basis. The DVA will have a staff of about 350, all civilians, located mainly in Portsmouth, Woolwich, Wiltshire and central London. The assistant under-secretary of state-- security and support--will be the owner of the DVA on behalf of the Secretary of State. The owner will set the strategic direction of the DVA and the policy and standards to be followed. The DVA chief executive, a member of the senior civil service appointed by open competition, will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the agency. The chief executive has been set the following key targets: Quality 1. By internal validation, to show at least 95 per cent. compliance with quality standards and procedures. 2. By 31 March 1998, to have developed and agreed the means of externally validating the quality of the agency outputs, and determined and set targets for subsequent improvement. Quantity 3. To meet all in-year requests for vetting, within the quantities represented in the defence vetting programme. Timeliness 4. To complete 85 per cent. of security checks and counter terrorist checks within the six-week time scale set out in departmental instructions. 5. To complete 95 per cent. of requests for developed vetting clearances within the six month time scale set out in departmental instructions. Service delivery 6. To meet 95 per cent. of target dates for developed vetting clearances agreed with customers. Efficiency 7. To demonstrate a 3 per cent. improvement in efficiency on operating costs in financial year 1997-98. Management 8. To implement the customer group concept as a basis for future financial and management planning, within financial year 1997-98. 9. To implement an initial agency management information system by 1 October 1997. Investors in people 10. In financial year 1997-98, to commit formally to the Investors in People programme and to complete the necessary in-year preliminary activities to ensure accreditation by May 1999. Planning for the future 11. By 31 March 1998, to have designed the future vetting processes of the agency, and to have in place the costed plans to reorganise and collocate to implement the re-engineered processes. I have arranged for copies of the agency's framework document and corporate plan to be placed in the Library of both Houses.

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21674; 292 c857-8W;292 c856-7W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

Pursuant to his Answers of 19th November 1996, Official Report, column 503W, and 5th December 1996, Official Report, column 730W, when the first report of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee will be published. - Has delivered its first report (copy in Library AS DEP/3 4926).

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21677; 292 c861W;292 c860W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

Statement on plans for the Armed Forces future operational information systems. - Inc details of contracts for BOWMAN from Archer, joint venture company of Crossbow and Yeoman; and for ASTOR from Lockheed Martin and Raytheon E-systems. (Not printed in Daily Part)

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 March 1997

Reference

21664; 292 Not in daily part;292 c873-4W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

Statement on what plans he has for the use of the RAF's Reserve personnel.

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

18 March 1997

Reference

21154; 292 c506W

House

House of Commons

STATE RETIREMENT PENSIONS TO PEOPLE RESIDENT ABROAD

That this House welcomes the Third Report of the Social Security Committee into the Uprating of State Retirement Pensions payable to People Resident Abroad (HC 143) of Session 1996-97) and strongly supports its concluding recommendation: That there should be a free vote at prime time to allow honourable Members to...

Primary sponsor

Winston Churchill (Conservative)

Type

Early day motions

Date

18 March 1997

Reference

680; 680A1

House

House of Commons

Dept of Health

Supplementary on GP fundholding in Lancashire.

Asked by

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of Health

Oral questions - 1st Supplementary

Status

Answered

Date

18 March 1997

Reference

292 c711

House

House of Commons

Social services: Question after statement on the governments White Paper on the future of social services in England and Wales

Question after statement on the governments White Paper on the future of social services in England and Wales.

Member

Keith Mans (Conservative)

Type

Proceeding contributions

Date

12 March 1997

Reference

292 c369

House

House of Commons

CONDUCT OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER FOR CUNNINGHAME NORTH

That this House notes that the honourable Member for Cunninghame North during a speech on Monday 11th March, failed to declare an interest as a director and shareholder of a political socialist newspaper company; further notes that the company had a bespoke factory built by Highlands and Islands Development Board...

Primary sponsor

Bill Walker (Conservative)

Type

Early day motions

Date

11 March 1997

Reference

639

House

House of Commons

BILLS RELATING TO THE CONSTITUTION

That this House believes that the committee stage of any public bill of a constitutional nature should be taken on the Floor of the House, thereby reflecting established precedent as set out in the First Report from the Select Committee on Procedure of Session 1945-46 (HC9-1) and as has always...

Primary sponsor

Lord King of Bridgwater (Conservative)

Type

Early day motions

Date

6 March 1997

Reference

621

House

House of Commons

Librarians' tools

Type

House

Session

Year

Department

Member

Primary member

Answering member

Legislative stage

Legislation

Subject

Publisher