§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultation took place with adjoining famers whose livelihood was likely to be affected prior to the establishment of Bruslee shooting range, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim.
§ Mr. FreemanThe MOD consulted Newtownabbey urban district council in January 1973 about the proposal to lease the Bruslee quarry site for a firing range. The council agreed to this in March 1973 and the range was opened in November 1976. Although not obliged by law to do so, it would have been for the council to canvas local opinion on the project. The range has been closed and the site was returned to the Newtownabbey district council on 31 December 1986.