HC Deb 02 February 1995 vol 253 cc855-6W
Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names of known or foreseeable emergency tour tasks; what relation the size of units on emergency tour tasks bears to battalion size; and which units are currently on emergency tour tasks and are expected to be in the foreseeable future.

Mr. Soames

The list of current operational tour commitments, and the units undertaking them are set out below. Those units at serials 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 are of battalion size—or equivalent in non infantry-arms—those of 14 and 15 are of battalion group size; others are of less than battalion size. In all cases, the minimum manning strength required of the unit to carry out its operational tour commitment is less than that unit's peace establishment. It is not our usual practice to identify those units which are planned to take up operational tour commitments in the future.

NORTHERN IRELAND (NI) OPERATIONAL TOUR PLOT

1. Armagh Roulement Battalion

  • 42 Commando Regiment, Royal Marines

2. Belfast Roulement Battalion

  • 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment

3.Fermanagh Roulement Battalion

  • 1st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment

4. East Tyrone Battalion

  • 1st Battalion The Green Howards

5. Girdwood Roulement Battalion

  • 40 Regiment, Royal Artillery

6. Drumadd Roulement Battalion

  • 5 Regiment, Royal Artillery

7. Prison Guard Force

  • The Queen's Royal Hussars

8. NI Roulement Engineer Squadron

  • 37 Field Squadron, 35 Engineer Regiment

9. NI Roulement Engineer Search Troop

  • 37 Field Squadron, 35 Engineer Regiment

10. NI Roulement Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron

  • 4 General Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps

UNITED NATIONS FORCES IN CYPRUS (UNFICYP) OPERATIONAL

TOUR PLOT

11. UNFICYP Roulement Regiment

  • The Queen's Royal Lancers. Royal Armoured Corps

FALKLAND ISLANDS OPERATIONAL TOUR PLOT

12. Falkland Islands Roulement Infantry Company Group

  • 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

13. Falkland Islands Roulement Field Squadron

  • 53 Field Support Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps

UNITED NATIONS PROTECTION FORCE INFANTRY OPERATIONAL TOUR PLOT

14. Britbat 1

  • 1st Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers
  • C Squadron Household Cavalry Regiment

15. Britbat 2

  • 1st Battalion The Royal Gloucester, Wiltshire
  • B Squadron Household Cavalry Regiment
  • Bilateral Cost-sharing Agreement

Mr. Livingstone

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature of the bilateral cost-sharing agreement under which the United Kingdom Government carry out construction work for the United States military at their bases and other property in the United Kingdom; when this agreement was first started; what is the value of the work currently being carried out; and at which United States bases and facilities this work is currently being carried out.

Mr. Soames

The confidential exchange of notes between the Governments of the United Kingdom and of the United States relating to the cost-sharing arrangement was signed on 4 April 1973. It is not our practice )o comment on the details of such arrangements. The value of work currently being carried out is a matter for the United States Government. Work is being carried out under the provisions of the above arrangement at the following main locations and their associated sites:

  • RAF Alconbury
  • RAF Brawdy
  • RAF Chicksands
  • RAF Croughton
  • RAF Daws Hill
  • RAF Edzell
  • RAF Fairford
  • RAF Feltwell
  • RAF Hythe
  • RAF Lakenheath
  • RAF Machrihanish
  • Menwith Hill Station
  • RAF Mildenhall
  • RAF Molesworth
  • RAF St. Mawgan
  • RAF Upwood
  • RAF Welford