HC Deb 08 June 2000 vol 351 cc338-9W
Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what live-fire training exercises are planned to take place in the next 12 months using Sea Eagle missiles. [125005]

Mr. Spellar

I am withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training exercises involving the live firing of Sea Eagle missiles have taken place in each of the past 10 years. [125081]

Mr. Spellar

I am withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training exercises involving the live firing of Exocet missiles have taken place in each of the past 10 years. [125008]

Mr. Spellar

I am withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to procure further stocks of Exocet missiles for use by the Royal Navy. [125006]

Mr. Spellar

We have no plans to procure further stocks of Exocet missiles for use by the Royal Navy. The Exocet missile system has been gradually withdrawn from service since October 1997 as it has become obsolete. The removal of the Exocet system from service is more than adequately offset by other very capable systems deployed in many other ships in the Royal Navy, including the superior Harpoon Anti Ship missile.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of(a) Exocet, (b) Sea Eagle and (c) Sea Dart missiles are retained by the Royal Navy. [125011]

Mr. Spellar

Both Exocet and Sea Eagle were formally removed from Royal Navy service in 1999 and all remaining missile stocks are currently subject to disposal action.

The Sea Dart remains in operational service. Accordingly, I am withholding detailed information on this system in accordance with Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Exocet missiles are routinely carried by Type 22 Frigates in service. [125007]

Mr. Spellar

Exocet missiles are no longer in Naval service, and none are carried by Type 22 Frigates in service.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what upgrade and refurbishment work is planned to take place on the Royal Navy's stock of(a) Exocet and (b) Sea Dart missiles in the next 12 months. [125012]

Mr. Spellar

The Royal Navy's Exocet missiles have become obsolete and have gradually been withdrawn from service. Therefore no upgrade or refurbishment work on these weapons is planned. The removal of the Exocet system from Service has been offset by other very capable systems deployed throughout the Royal Navy. A contract for the final phase of the Sea Dart missile refurbishment programme was placed on 23 May 2000. This is to ensure that the Royal Navy has sufficient serviceable Sea Dart missiles until 2015, the current planned out of service date for the weapon system.