HC Deb 27 November 2002 vol 395 cc327-9W
Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many, and what percentage, of(a) civil service, (b) executive agencies and (c) non-departmental public body jobs under the remit of his Department are located in Scotland; and how many of each have been relocated to Scotland since May 1997. [83580]

Dr. Moonie

The information for the civil servants and the executive agencies is shown below as at October 2002 and April 1997 (closest data available to May 1997). The non-departmental public bodies data is shown as at October 2002 and April 1998 (closest data available to May 1997). Information on relocations is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he made after 11 September 2001 of the role of civilian firefighters in the event of terrorist attack against military targets in the United Kingdom; [82902]

(2) what discussions there have been between his Department and firefighters' leaders on action to be taken by striking firefighters in the event of a terrorist attack against military installations in the United Kingdom; [82904]

(3)what estimate he has made of the impact of industrial action by firefighters on their response times in the event of a terrorist attack against military targets in the United Kingdom. [82905]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 25 November 2002]: Civil firefighters clearly have a role to play in responding to terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom, whether the attack is against a civil or military target. The nature of their response and arrangements during industrial action is a matter for the FBU, local authorities and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, who have responsibility for fire services. The Ministry of Defence welcomes the protocol agreed between these parties relating to the response to a terrorist incident during periods of industrial action.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many military personnel manning Green Goddess applicances have been drawn from units usually employed on security duties at military bases in the United Kingdom; [82906]

(2) what overall assessment he has made of the implications of industrial action by firefighters on the safety and security of military installations in the United Kingdom. [82907]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 25 November 2002]: Security at military establishments is provided by trained military personnel based there, the Ministry of Defence Guard Service, the MOD Police (MDP) or a combination of the three. Neither the MOD Guard Service nor the MDP personnel are involved in providing emergency fire and rescue cover (Operation FRESCO) during the firemen's strike. Military personnel engaged in providing security do so as part of their normal daily duties and tasking is done on a rotational basis. There are no military units dedicated to providing security at military establishments.

Armed forces personnel engaged in Operation FRESCO have been drawn from many different units and from all three Services. This has been done to help minimise the effect of withdrawing forces from their normal duties and to ensure that military core business can continue, including the provision of security at military establishments. Security at those establishments has not been compromised.