§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what dates for the procurement of(a) Brimstone and (b) Maverick guided munitions have been set. [145464]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Brimstone development and production contract was let to GEC-Marconi Rada and Defence Systems (now Alenia Marconi Systems) in November 1996 and the system is due to enter service in October 2002.
A contract was signed with Raytheon Corporation on 12 September 2000 for an off-the-shelf purchase of Maverick anti-armour missiles as a result of key lessons learned from the Kosovo campaign. Missiles are currently being delivered, and we expect to have these in service by the middle of February, once the necessary ground and aircrew training has been completed.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the procurement of(a) Brimstone and (b) Maverick guided munitions will have on the armed services' requirement to employ cluster bombs. [145465]
§ Dr. MoonieThe introduction into service of the Brimstone and Maverick weapon systems will give us an enhanced capability against single targets, particularly those which are heavily armoured. Cluster bombs will retain a utility against a concentration of lighter armoured vehicles and area targets such as surface-to-air missile sites and logistics storage depots. Brimstone, Maverick and cluster bombs are complementary systems and in any future conflict the weapon considered to be most appropriate to the circumstances would be employed.
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§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has for further procurements of cluster bombs, indicating the(a) type, (b) cost and (c) manufacturer involved; [145466]
(2) how many cluster bombs, and of what tonnage, are held by British armed services; and what is their current value.[145467]
§ Dr. MoonieThere are currently no plans to procure any further cluster bombs.
Stockholdings of munitions are held at an authorised War Reserve stock figure. Details of the precise numbers of weapons held in stock could provide a potential adversary with information that could undermine our defence capabilities. This information is therefore withheld in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what extensive awareness training has been given by British armed services to local populations with regard to cluster bomb deployments; and what has been the cost of these training programmes. [145469]
§ Mr. SpellarIn common with other military and civilian organisations, British Service personnel do not give specific awareness training on cluster munitions. The British Army has given, and continues to give, training to the local populations of Bosnia and Kosovo which deals with the recognition and avoidance of all types of unexploded ordnance. This training is carried out at no charge to the local population.