HC Deb 18 November 2003 vol 413 cc756-7W
Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims for payment by the Saudi Government have been endorsed by staff of his Department's Director General of the Saudi Armed Forces Project since the Al Yamamah programme began; what the total value of these claims is; and what each of the claims endorsed since 1997 have been in respect of. [137235]

Mr. Ingram

Details of the number of claims are not normally recorded and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The total number will run into tens of thousands. Details of individual claims since 1997 could only be provided at disproportionate cost. All claims cover goods and services supplied by the Prime Contractor to Saudi Arabia.

Norman Lamb

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff of his Department's Director General of the Saudi Armed Forces Project are based in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Saudi Arabia; and what proportion of their salaries is met by (i) his Department and (ii) BAE Systems. [137236]

Mr. Ingram

Under the Department's Director General of the Saudi Armed Forces Project there are currently 111 staff directly employed in the United Kingdom and 65 staff in Saudi Arabia. The UK MOD receives a management fee from the Saudi Arabian Government for its management of the programme. All costs of the team, including salaries, are met from this fee.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conditions relating to(a) security sector reform and (b) human rights are included in the contracts governing the Al Yamamah programme; and if he will make a statement. [137764]

Mr. Ingram

There are none. The Saudi authorities are well aware of the importance we attach to the full respect of human rights.