§ 13. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for War if he was satisfied with the success of all the 1959 Corporal missile firing exercises at the Uist rocket range; what firing programme is planned for 1960; what other operational use is to be made of the range area apart from this disposal of stocks of obsolete missiles; and if he will state the total sum spent to date on the construction and development of the range and on the associated works and activities.
§ Mr. SoamesYes, Sir. Last year's training programme was successful and another will take place this year. The Corporal missile is not obsolete. The sum spent on the range over the years has been £1½ million.
§ Mr. MacMillanDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recall that the Corporal firing in which he took part was a damp squib? Apart from that, is he aware that the civilian compensation by way of employment and development, which was promised very definitely by the Minister of Defence at the time when the project was started, has not materialised and that the employment is next to nothing at all? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is a costly scheme which is producing no result? Surely that is generally acknowledged?
§ Mr. SoamesI have not in mind any promise made, but if the hon. Member makes the information available to me, I will certainly have a look at it.