HC Deb 21 June 1972 vol 839 cc442-3
2. Mr. Maclennan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the proposal to site a firing range near Tain; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Five, including one petition. Until the consultations being carried out by the Ministry of Defence have been completed, it is not possible to reply to the substance of these representations.

Mr. Maclennan

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to adduce any evidence at all that there would be advantage to my constituents in Sutherland from the location of this firing range which might offset to any degree the patent damage to the amenity of the area from a tourist point of view, the threat to fishing from the port of Helmsdale and possible interference with flying from the new feeder airstrip at Dornoch?

Mr. Campbell

I cannot comment on the substance of the matter until the consultations are ended. My hon. Friend the Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Gray) has been actively engaged in helping those in Ross and Cromarty to ascertain the facts. There was a test firing on Monday, and yesterday the Press reported some of the reactions. I am determined to get as many good and lasting jobs as possible in Scotland, and I shall continue to do that until there are seen to be overriding objections.

Mr. Donald Stewart

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept that these are not the types of jobs we want in the Highlands? We have an excess of defence establishments which are too dangerous, too unpleasant and too anti-social for Scotland. These are the things that have been dumped on Scotland and they are not wanted. We want reasonable and fair development that will give a chance to the people to live in a pleasant environment instead of having to put up with schemes and projects which have been rejected elsewhere.

Mr. Campbell

I do not accept that general proposition. These jobs are good and lasting. The problem is whether the firing and anything else that goes with the testing of these weapons would be damaging to amenity or cause injury in some way in the neighbourhood.

Mr. Ross

Is this the firing range that was hawked around West Wales and Galloway?

Mr. Campbell

This is part of what is at present at Shoeburyness which the Ministry of Defence found could not be fitted in at Galloway where there is already an RAF establishment.