Defence Equipment Testing (Hansard, 12 April 1994)

§ 1. Mr. Ainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what testing of British defence equipment is routinely carried out in other countries; and if he will make a statement.

§ The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Mr. Jonathan Aitken)
The vast majority of routine testing of British defence equipment is carried out within the United Kingdom.

§ Mr. Ainger
The Minister will be aware of the concern expressed by many organisations, individuals, local authorities and trade unions about the outcome of the director general's review of test and evaluation. Does he agree that it would be wholly unacceptable if a significant part—or any part—of test and evaluation currently undertaken at establishments in Essex, Dyfed and west Scotland were transferred to another country in Europe or North America? Can he assure the House that, whatever the outcome of the review, it will not mean any of that work being undertaken anywhere other than in the United Kingdom?

§ Mr. Aitken
I recognise the hon. Gentleman's concern as the Member of Parliament whose constituency contains Pendine. In our quest for value for money, we are currently considering a number of options on the future of test and evaluation sites, although Ministers have reached no decision. On the information available to my Department, the transfer to an overseas location of facilities at Pendine or any other establishment does not appear to be cost-effective.

§ Mr. John Marshall
Has my hon. Friend made any estimate of the amount of defence equipment testing that would be undertaken in Wales and elsewhere if the defence budget were cut by 25 per cent., as some hon. Members advocate?

§ Mr. Aitken
My hon. Friend makes an entirely valid political point. If Labour or Liberal Democrat conference resolutions were implemented, test and evaluation establishments throughout the country would have not nearly enough work to survive.

Mr. Robertson
Will the Minister acknowledge that he has an unparalleled facility for testing and evaluating a wide range of weapons at the Royal Artillery range in the Hebrides? Will he ensure that the fullest possible use is made of those facilities by British companies and the British armed forces and encourage allied companies and armed forces also to take advantage of them?

§ Mr. Aitken
I am glad to pay tribute to the equipment, facilities and personnel at the Royal Artillery range in the Hebrides. I visited Benbecula and St. Kilda last summer and am well aware of the point that the hon. Gentleman seeks to make. I am all in favour of the artillery range seeking business from overseas Governments and companies—which takes place to some extent already.