HC Deb 01 March 1984 vol 55 cc343-6W
Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many tenants living in his Department's houses in the immediate vicinity of royal ordnance factories are (a) employees of royal ordnance factories or (b) members of the Ministry of Defence police; and whether he will list such tenants by factory.

Mr. Pattie

The position is as follows:

Employees Ministry of Defence police
ROF Bishopton 12 14
ROF Blackburn 5 4
ROF Bridgwater Nil 3
ROF Chorley 15 8
RSAF Enfield 2 6
ROF Glascoed 18 13
ROF Leeds 1 9
ROF Nottingham Nil 1
ROF Patricroft Nil 5

Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people live within 100 metres of each royal ordnance factory.

Mr. Pattie

The estimated number of people who live within 100 metres of each royal ordnance factory are as follows:

Numbers
ROF Birtley 500
ROF Bishopton 100
ROF Blackburn 440
ROF Bridgwater 2
ROF Chorley 270
RSAF Enfield 125
ROF Glascoed Nil
ROF Leeds 440
ROF Nottingham 350
ROF Patricroft 600

Numbers
ROF Radway Green 6

Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the shortest distance between the perimeter fence of each royal ordnance factory and the nearest industrial property.

Mr. Pattie

The shortest distance between the perimeter fence of each royal ordnance factory arid the nearest industrial property is as follows:

ROF Birtley Birtley shares a common boundary on the north side with Durham Chemicals Limited.

ROF Bishopton 1610 metres—Abbotsmuch industrial estate.

ROF Blackburn 21 metres—Donaghadee Carpets

ROF Bridgwater 1750 metres from Fothergill Polymers

ROF Chorley 800 metres—Lancashire new town industrial development

RSAF Enfield 100 metres—Sheet Metal Fabrications

ROF Glascoed 4700 metres—ICI Plant

ROF Leeds 15 metres —Charles H. Roe Limited

ROF Nottingham 16 metres—British Rail

ROF Patricroft Protector Light and Lamp and Company adjoins factory at north east side

ROF Radway Green No industrial property in immediate area.

Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will list the liabilities and responsibilities that royal ordnance factories will have under (a) the Firearms Act and (b) the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act in the event of ownership of the royal ordnance factories being transferred from his Department to private shareholders.

Mr. Pattie

From the date of their incorporation the royal ordnance factories, like any other company, will become subject to the Firearms Acts and the Health and Safety at Work Acts and discussions on the future implementation continue with HSE. The liabilities and responsibilities will be specified in the relevant Acts.

Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his intention to transfer the freeholds of his Department's properties in the immediate vicinity of royal ordnance factories with the other rights and properties to be transferred to the royal ordnance factories holding company.

Mr. Pattie

There is no single answer to this question as decisions must have regard to the situation at each factory.

Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many freehold residential properties are owned by his Department in the immediate vicinity of royal ordnance factories; and whether he will list such properties by each factory;

(2) how many freehold residential properties owned by his Department in the immediate vicinity of royal ordnance factories are (a) inside and (b) outside the perimeter fence of royal ordnance factories; and whether he will list such properties in each category by factory.

Mr. Pattie

There are six houses at Radway green, one at Nottingham and one at Leeds, inside the factory perimeter fences. The numbers outside the perimeter fences at each factory are as follows:

Numbers
ROF Birtley 10
ROF Bishopton 53
ROF Blackburn 12
ROF Bridgwater 11
ROF Chorley 92
RSAF Enfield 18
ROF Glascoed 46
ROF Leeds 9
ROF Patricroft 10