HC Deb 26 November 2002 vol 395 cc174-5W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reserve forces are available(a) to assist in firefighting duties and(b) to replace regular service personnel engaged in firefighting duties during industrial action by civilian firefighters. [82908]

Dr. Moonie

[holding answer 25 November 2002]There are currently no plans to call out reservists in response to the firefighters' strike. However, it is possible that volunteers may be used in supporting roles, but in such cases they would not be deployed as firefighters.

Mr. Gerald Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the deployment of service personnel to provide fire cover on the ability of the Armed Forces to respond to a chemical, biologial, radiological and nuclear attack in the UK. [82952]

Mr. Ingram

Contingency plans, involving the Armed Forces, are in place for responding to a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attack. This capability has not been affected by the deployment of Service personnel to provide emergency fire and rescue cover.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to sign a Queen's Order conferring rights to call up extra reserves in the event of military action being undertaken before the firefighters' dispute has been settled. [82910]

Dr. Moonie

[holding answer 25 November 2002]Reservists are called out under the legal powers conferred by the Reserve Forces Act 1996.There are currently four extant call-out orders made under that Act, namely: An order made on 28 February 2002 under section 56 to support operations in Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; An order made on 3 April 2002 under section 56 to support operations in the former Yugoslavia; An order made on 3 April 2002 under section 54 for operations in the region of Iraq in support of the no fly zones and UNIKOM; An order made on 14 October 2002 under section 54 for operations in support of the campaign against international terrorism.

Deaths due to discharge of firearms since 1990, by location
Year of death
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Great Britain 8 4 3 3 5 7
Northern Ireland 10 9 11 11 4 7
Germany 9 1 4 1 3 1
Other overseas postings 1 25 1 2 15 5
Grand total 28 39 19 17 27 20

Year of death
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Grand total
Great Britain 6 4 1 3 2 2 48
Northern Ireland 4 1 0 1 0 3 61
Germany 0 0 0 0 0 0 19
Other overseas postings 7 0 0 3 8 4 71
Grand total 17 5 1 7 10 9 199

Comprehensive information on firearm related injuries is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.