Written Answers
28 FEBRUARY 1977
As a result of the increase in the number of hospital beds, the ratio of beds per 1,000 head of the population increased from 4-22 in 1975 to 4-34 im 1976.
USSR and United Kingdom (1.ondon and Moscow Embassies)
Sir B. Rhys Williams asked the Secre tary of State for Foreign and Common- wealth Affairs (1) if he will now make a statement about his discussions in regard to the proposed expansion of the Russian Embassy premises and the accommoda- tion for Russian officials and their house- holds in Kensington ;
(2) if he is satislied with the arrange- meals now proposed to provide premises and facilities for British officials and business men in Moscow; and in what way any new facilities now agreed to be provided will improve upon the present situation.
Mr. Luard: I have nothing further to add at present to what my hon. Friend said in the Adjournment debate on 20th/ Since that date no 21st July 1976. further discussions of substance have taken place between Her Majesty's Gov- ernment and the Soviet authorities on the Soviet wish to concentrate accom- modation in
the Kensington Palace Gardens area. Proposals for new British Embassy premises in Moscow are being pursued in the context of the mutual pro- vision of accommodation in London and Moscow.
Weapons (Riot Control)
Mr. Hugh Jenkins asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what criteria, with respect to the observance of human rights, demo- cratic forms of government and the rule of law, he judges the eligibility of coun- tries for exports of riot control equipment from the United Kingdom.
Mr. Judd: Exports of riot control equipment art subject to restrictions similar to those on exports of arms and other military equipment. Each applica- tion is treated on its merits, and an export licence is only issued after consultation among the responsible Government Departments, which take into account all relevant political, military, economic and strategic factors, paying particular attention to the end use of the equipment.
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DEFENCE
Army (Small Arms Weapon System) 20. Mr. Onslow asked the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans there are for the adoption of a smail-calibre small
arms weapon system by the Army.
Mr. Robert C. Brown: NATO trials are to be beld over the next two years to decide on a suitable calibre for future small arms on which it is hoped NATO forces will standardise. The British con- tender is # 4-85mm weapon system, comprising an automatic rifle and a light support weapon.
Balloons
Mr. Tretter asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many balloons suitable for parachute training are im stock with the RAF.
Mr. Wellbeloved : Twenty-two parachute training balloons are held by
the RAF to meet the needs of the three Services.
Queen Elizabeth Military Hospitai
Mr. Cartwright asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the most recent estimate of the cost of (a) building and (b) equipping the Queen Elizabeth Mili- tury Hospital, Woolwich.
Mr. Robert C. Brown: The latest estimated cost of building and equipping the hospital, including the associated staff accommodation and training school is approximately £16 million. It is not practicable to separate building and equipment costs, but equipment costs will be minimised by transferring both medi- cal and general equipment from military hospitals that are to bo closed.
Mr. Cartwright asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate (a) the total annual running costs of the Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital, Woolwich, including debt charges and (b) the annual cost per bed.
Mr. Robert C. Brown: At current prices it is estimated that the annual running costs of the Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital, if used for military patients only, will be of the order of £5.5 million when the hospital is fully
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