Weapons: Transport

Linda Gilroy
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the staffing levels required at each waterside depot to maintain the safe supply of armaments to vessels.

Mr. Bob Ainsworth
Staffing levels were assessed as part of the proposals made in the Business Improvement Programme undertaken by the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency's Explosives Business Stream. These proposals are subject to trade unions consultation, which is due to complete in July 2010. It would be inappropriate for me to comment while the consultation is ongoing.

Linda Gilroy
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he took account of the recommendations of the Haddon-Cave Nimrod review in respect of the proposals for the supply of armaments to waterside depots by direct delivery contained in the Business Improvement Programme consultation.

Mr. Bob Ainsworth
Safety is paramount in the munitions environment. The use of direct delivery, if fully implemented, will be consistent with the Haddon-Cave recommendations.