HC Deb 17 March 1989 vol 149 cc378-81W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the antennae for the planned trial extremely low frequency transmitter at Glengarry forest in Scotland will be mounted above ground or buried below ground;

(2) to which local authority application will be made in regard to planning permission for the planned trial extremely low frequency transmitter at Glengarry forest in Scotland;

(3) when planning permission will be applied for in regard to the planned trial extremely low frequency transmitter at Glengarry forest in Scotland;

(4) what is the proposed maximum power requirement for the proposed trial extremely low frequency transmitter at Glengarry forest in Scotland; and what will be its maximum power output;

(5) what areas of the United Kingdom have been identified as potential sites for operational extremely low frequency transmitters;

(6) if the exact site characteristics and possible cable routes for the proposed trial extremely low frequency transmitter at Glengarry forest in Scotland have now been identified;

(7) if he will state the conductivity, in mho per metre, of the underlying bedrock of the proposed trial extremely low frequency transmitter at Glengarry forest in Scotland;

(8) what will be the maximum range of the proposed trial extremely low frequency transmitter at Glengarry forest in Scotland;

(9) what area, in hectares, the proposed trial extremely low frequency transmitter at Glengarry forest in Scotland will cover.

Mr. Neubert

The present plan for the proposed trial ELF transmitter at Glengarry forest is that a notice of proposed development (NOPD) is to be produced with a view to submission to the Highland regional council later this year. The NOPD will be a comprehensive formal document containing information about the purpose of the ELF aerial, its proposed course, the unique features of the site, positioning of related facilities, technical and civil engineering concepts, design proposals and methods of construction.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the total cost to date of the proposed trial extremely low frequency transmitter at Glengarry forest in Scotland; what is the latest estimated construction cost of the project in the years 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993; and what is the current total estimated cost of the project;

(2) how much has been spent, to date, by his Department on the area of extremely low frequency communications; and how much it is planned to spend by the end of 1993.

Mr. Sainsbury

It is not our policy to give out details of expenditure on specific research projects.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the progress of the upgrading programme for the Royal Navy very low frequency communications system.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member on 10 February 1989 at columns859–60.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any contracts have been awarded to Rediffusion Radio Systems, in regard to extremely low frequency communication systems.

Mr. Sainsbury

No.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has yet determined whether or not extremely low frequency communications systems will have an operation role to play in improving the operational effectiveness of Royal Navy submarines.

Mr. Sainsbury

One of the functions of the ELF demonstrator programme is to investigate what operational capabilities such a system might offer. No decision on the use of ELF will be taken prior to the results of such research being available.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if there has been any co-operation between the United Kingdom and French Governments with regard to the use of extremely low frequency technology for the purpose of communicating with submarines;

(2) if there have been any agreements between the United Kingdom and French Governments regarding the use of extremely low frequency communications facilities for the purpose of communicating with submarines;

(3) if it is proposed that there will be any co-operation between the United Kingdom and French Governments with regard to the use of extremely low frequency technology for the purpose of communicating with submarines;

(4) if it is proposed that there will be any agreements between the United Kingdom and French Governments regarding the use of extremely low frequency communications facilities for the purpose of communicating with submarines.

Mr. Sainsbury

While it is the policy of the United Kingdom Government to partake in research collaboration with other nations in order to make the most efficient and cost-effective use of our resources; it is not our policy to disclose specific topics which are the subject of such collaboration.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any agreement exists between the United Kingdom and United States Governments regarding the use of TACAMO very low frequency communications systems for communication with Royal Navy submarines.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

No.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the United States TACAMO very low frequency communication system is used with a NATO role.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

TACAMO is a United States communication system. It could therefore be used to relay NATO messages to United States forces assigned to NATO.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if any Royal Navy submarines are currently equipped to receive extremely low frequency transmissions;

(2) how many Royal Navy submarines will be equipped to receive extremely low frequency transmissions from the proposed trial extremely low frequency transmitter at Glengarry forest in Scotland when it becomes operational in 1993.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

It is not our practice to comment on operational matters of thus kind.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any Royal Navy submarine has ever used the United States TACAMO very low frequency communications system.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

No.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any agreements exist covering the use of the extremely low frequency transmitters in Wisconsin and Michigan, USA, for the purpose of communicating with Royal Navy submarines.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

There are no agreements between the United Kingdom and the United States Governments concerning the use of these transmitters.