HC Deb 13 July 1976 vol 915 cc347-8
6. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what purpose is served by the Suffield training grounds in Canada; how many men visit Suffield for training purposes each year; and what is the cost to Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

Suffield is used to train mechanised Army battle groups for their NATO rôle and is the only training area in which they can carry out live firing in the course of tactical manoeuvres. Each year, seven battle groups or about 5,000 men train there. Annual running costs to the Ministry of Defence are about £4 million at present.

Mr. Wainwright

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that the cost of this training is worth while? As the training of NATO troops is a joint affair, what facilities have been offered to other NATO countries to train with British troops in this area?

Mr. Brown

I am wholly satisfied that Suffield provides the kind of training which is necessary and which we could not obtain elsewhere. The money spent in this area is extremely well spent. This is a British Army training area, but we hope that Canadian units will take part in exercises for the first time later this year.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the site provides a unique opportunity for the training of large formations? Is there any possi- bility of the lease being extended when it expires?

Mr. Brown

The lease runs until 1981. We should have to negotiate for an extension at that time. Suffield is an area of 750 square miles in which manoeuvring and live firing can take place without restriction. It is a unique and superb training area.

Mr. Conlan

Is my hon. Friend aware that his reply is not very convincing? Will he recognise that his Department should not wait until the lease runs out in 1981 but should be engaging in meaningful discussions with the Canadian Government for the continuing use of Suffield?

Mr. Brown

My hon. Friend is more than begging the question. Clearly, we do not intend to sit on our haunches until 1981 before actively considering the future.

Mr. Townsend

As the number of posts abroad for British Service men continues to diminish, will the Minister do all he can to get new training areas in other Commonwealth countries for British soldiers?

Mr. Brown

That is another question, but while we have Suffield we do not need to worry too much about facilities.

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