ра
177
176
Written Answers
24 JUNE 1982
C
GE
24
Written Answers
DEFENCE
82
178
1982
,529
,169
for
The
the
eks
une
982
087
89
st
fit
82
16
International Arms Dealers
Mr. Charles Irving asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will support the appointment of a commission to investigate the relation of the world arms trade to international instability and to recommend measures and initiatives to make suppliers of new or resold arms accountable to impartial international authorities.
Mr. Pattie: In July this year a United Nations study into conventional weapons will commence. This study, which is fully supported by Her Majesty's Government, will provide an international forum for the discussion of these questions.
Trident
Mr. Robert Atkins asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made in the selection of British contractors for work on the Trident programme; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Pattie: British contractors have been selected in a number of major areas of the United Kingdom Trident programme, including the design and development of the submarine and certain major equipment and weapons systems. Further selections will be made as the long-term programme proceeds. In addition, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence told the House on 11 March 1982-[Vol. 19, c. 975]-United Kingdom firms are being given the opportunity to compete on equal terms with their United States counterparts for subcontracts for weapon system components over the Trident programme as a whole. Following a presentation by a United States team to United Kingdom industry on 14 May, work is in hand to agree procedures to permit British firms ease of access to the United States prime contractors and a guide for potential sub-contractors is soon to be issued. In addition a joint United Kingdom-United States liaison office to assist United Kingdom firms has been set up in the Ministry of Defence. The major trade associations and all firms who have indicated an interest are being kept informed of progress.
Falkland Islands
Mr. Canavan asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the estimated cost of the British military operation to recover the Falkland Islands; and what is the estimated cost of future military commitments in and around the Falkland Islands.
Mr. Blaker: As to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I refer him to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 12 May. [Vol. 23, c. 262.] Future military commitments and their cost will depend upon the threat to the islands.
Chile
Mr. Proctor asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any discussions have taken place between officials from his Department and officials of the Government of the Republic of Chile concerning mutual defence matters, with particular regard to British interests
DATE 244.6.82
сос по
91
VOL 26
in the South Atlantic; whether any defence *agreements currently exist between Chile and the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Blaker: The answer to each part of the question is "No".
"Sir Tristram" and "Sir Galahad"
Mr. Marlow asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether "Sir Tristram" and "Sir Galahad" are still afloat and at sea.
Mr. Blaker: It has been decided that "Sir Galahad" cannot be salvaged. She is therefore being towed out to sea today and sunk. "Sir Tristram" is still afloat and we are assessing whether it will be possible to salvage her.
South Atlantic Fund
Mr. Proctor asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to seek to extend the fund for families of casualties in the Falklands campaign to families of British Servicemen killed while on duty in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Wiggin: The South Atlantic fund was set up in response to the wishes of members of the public who wanted to donate money to those involved in the South Atlantic emergency. A special fund to benefit troops involved in Northern Ireland operations and their families already exists; it is administered by the Army benevolent fund.
Falkland Islands (Chinese Sailors)
Sir Anthony Royle asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names and ages of Chinese sailors from Hong Kong who have been (a) killed and (b) wounded, fighting for the United Kingdom in the Falklands conflict; and if he will set out the action taken to assist the families of each individual.
Mr. Blaker [pursuant to his reply, 22 June 1982, c. 69-70]: In addition to those listed in my earlier reply, further information indicates that one Hong Kong Chinese who embarked with the task force, Ng Po, age 55, has been buried at sea, and another, Chan Chi Shing, age 42, is missing, presumed dead.
ENVIRONMENT
Direct Labour Departments
Copueil
to 1912
plus esto
Mr. Squire asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what statistical surveys he now undertakes of the output and employment of local authority direct labour departments; and what the findings of the most recent survey both nation-wide and on an authority-by-authority basis.
Mr. Stanley: The Department conducts a quarterly inquiry into the number of operatives directly employed by local authorities to carry out building, civil engineering or associated work and the value of their output.
Provisional results for this inquiry for the first quarter of 1982 compared with the same period a year ago are as follows:
↑ Pasi/6