§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all those countries assessed as possessing ballistic missiles.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe following countries are assessed as possessing ballistic missiles: Afghanistan, Belgium, Bulgaria, China (PRC), Czechoslovakia, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Netherlands, North Korea, Pakistan, Poland. Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Syria, USSR, United States of America, United Kingdom and Yemen.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) Army service personnel, (b) Royal Air Force service personnel and (c) Royal Navy personnel have applied for voluntary redundancy; and whether he has any plans to make further offers of voluntary redundancy.
§ Mr. Archie Hamilton[pursuant to his reply, 8 November col. 296]: A reduction of 8,000 in total Royal Navy numbers is planned by 1995. Most of these will be achieved by natural turnover, reduced recruiting and by the application of certain manpower regulators. However, there will he a need for a limited redundancy programme, phased over two or three years. In 1992–93 this will affect about 80 captains and commanders and 320 warrant officers and chief and petty officers. It is hoped that this target will he achieved by voluntary means, but some 303W compulsory measures cannot be ruled out in order to achieve the correct seniority spread within the ranks and specialisations. Personnel will be selected from categories in surplus, bearing in mind the need to maintain a balance of skills and experience. It will be necessary to include in the programme officers and ratings with significant time to serve as well as those within a few years of retirement/discharge.
The same financial terms will apply as in all such service schemes since 1975. These provide for an immediate pension for those with 12 or more years service—instead of the normal 16 years for an officer and 22 for a rating—together with a tax-free capital payment of up to 18 months' pay in addition to the pension benefits. The detailed terms will shortly be promulgated to the Navy and applications will be invited to take effect in 1992–93.
All those selected are eligible for the full facilities of the resettlement programme, including counselling and up to 28 days' training to assist them in utilising their skills in the civilian job market. Help with job finding will be available from the employment liaison officer, Navy, the Officers Association or the Regular Forces Employment Association, both of which receive funding from the Department. Full details of these and other agencies will be covered in resettlement interviews. Advice is also included on how to set about finding housing and how to put special capital payment and pensions to best use for this purpose. It is expected that most naval personnel leaving on this basis will have made, or will be able to make, suitable arrangements for their housing needs. Where this is not the case we are currently studying a number of options in order to assist in both the short and long term.
In the case of the Army, we have received applications from 4,492 soldiers and 801 officers for the scheme in 1992–93. I am pleased therefore to say that all the reduction of 2,500 soldiers and the large majority of the reduction of 850 officers in 1992–93 will be from those who asked to be considered. It will, however, be necessary to select about 160 officers of middle and more senior rank who have not put their names forward for consideration. Selection boards are now sitting and everyone will be notified on 26 February 1992.
304W
Number of deaths, and rates per million population, for which hypothermia1 was stated as the underlying cause of death in England 1979–90 Year Age at death All ages2 Under 12 1–4 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 1979 Number 404 7 1 — — 3 — 2 6 4 Rate 8.7 12.0 0.5 — — 0.8 — 0.6 1.7 1.4 1980 Number 245 3 — — 1 1 1 1 2 2 Rate 5.2 5.0 — — 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.7 1981 Number 250 2 2 — — 1 — 2 2 2 Rate 5.3 3.3 0.9 — — 0.3 — 0.6 0.6 0.7 1982 Number 301 2 — — 1 2 4 — — 1 Rate 6.4 3.4 — — 0.3 0.5 1.1 — — 0.3 1983 Number 209 2 — — — — 1 2 1 5 Rate 4.5 3.4 — — — — 0.3 0.6 0.3 1.5 In the RAF, the need for redundancies remains under consideration.