§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of munitions will be stored in(a) DM(N) and (b) DM(N); and what the percentages will be if DM Dean Hill closes. [70177]
§ Mr. IngramCurrently the Defence Munitions distribution of stock by volume is as follows:
Stock Percentage DM (North) 19.5 DM (Central) 68.5 DM (South) 12 Should DM Dean Hill close as proposed and stock from there dispersed to other DM locations the resultant stock distribution by volume would be as follows:
Stock Percentage DM (North) 21 DM (Central) 69 DM (South) 10
§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage decrease in DM's operating costs has been achieved since its inception. [70175]
§ Mr. IngramAt inception the Defence Munitions (DM) set a challenging strategic goal to reduce total operating costs by 20 per cent. by financial year (FY) 2003–04 ie by 31 March 2004. By the end of FY 2001–02 delivery towards the target stood at 9.3 per cent. The inclusions of Defence Munitions Rationalisation Study 2 reductions (including savings arising from the proposed closure of DM Dean Hill) will, if implemented, deliver operating cost reductions of 16.7 per cent. by the end of FY 2003–04 with the full 20 per cent. being delivered in the course of the following year FY 2004–05.
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§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions over the last two years the storage capacity of DM Gosport has been exceeded; and where the excess munitions were stored on each occasion. [70179]
§ Mr. IngramFor safety reasons the volume of explosives that can be stored at any particular location at any one time is very strictly controlled by licence. Defence Munitions (DM) has an obligation to operate within these licensed limits. Steps (including dispersal to other locations if necessary) are taken to ensure that all DM establishments do not exceed their licensed limits. As a result the storage capacity at DM Gosport has not been exceeded at any time over the last two years.
§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which unions were represented during the consultations on the Defence Munitions rationalisation study 2; and which areas of the country they represented. [70178]
§ Mr. IngramThe proposal to close Defence Munitions Dean Hill has the potential to affect more than 25 staff. Therefore, in accordance with Ministry of Defence regulations, formal consultation with the trade unions is being carried out at departmental level ie with the MOD Council of Civil Service Unions (MOD CCSU) and the MOD Industrial Whitley Council (MOD DIWC). This includes the following: Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU), Amicus (previously Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU) and Manufacturing, Science and Finance (MSF), General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union (GMB), Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT), Prospect, Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), Association of First Division Civil Servants (FDA), Defence Police Federation, the Chief Police Officer's Association and the Retired Officers Association.
The formal trade unions consultation period is due to complete on 16 August 2002.
§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account has been taken of the whole life assessment of munitions, and increased travel times, in the event of the recommended closure of DM Dean Hill proceeding. [70174]
§ Mr. IngramThe process of weapon design addresses, inter alia, the issue of transportation. Where necessary to maintain the integrity and reliability of a weapon, customised packaging is provided to protect and preserve it during movement by whatever transportation medium is used, whether by road, rail or sea. Movement in approved packaging and by approved modes of transport has no impact on overall weapon life.
§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate has been made of the increase in munitions carried by road and rail if the recommended closure of DM Dean Hill proceeds broken down by(a) volume carried and (b) increase in length of time during which munitions will be transported. [70176]
§ Mr. IngramIf the closure of Defence Munitions Dean Hill proceeds as planned the munitions currently stored at the Depot would be transferred to other Defence Munitions Establishments. As part of this dispersal
287Wactivity it is planned to work together with customers and stakeholders to ensure that the resultant distribution of munitions stock more readily lines up with the required outload points for the munitions themselves. Once this re-positioning is completed, the overall planning assumption is that there would be no increase in the volume of munitions carried by road or rail. Likewise there would be no increase in the length in transportation time for the munitions stockpile as a whole.