HC Deb 10 May 1990 vol 172 c213W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he gave any consideration to developing the over-the-horizon military radar base site outside the United Kingdom.

Mr. Alan Clark

Among the objectives of the planned two-year trial of an over-the-horizon radar in the United Kingdom are to determine whether the system is capable of functioning satisfactorily in British latitudes and to assess whether it could constitute a worthwhile permanent addition to the United Kingdom's early warning capability. It would not be possible to achieve these objectives if the system were to be situated outside the United Kingdom.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the full list of sites considered for developing the latest over-the-horizon military radar base; and how many of these sites were located in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.

Mr. Alan Clark

It is not the practice to reveal such details.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has received any representations from Churches in Wales concerning the construction of a radar base in the St. David's area.

Mr. Alan Clark

My Department has received representations from the honorary secretary and the honorary treasurer of the Friends of St. David's cathedral about the proposed construction of an over-the-horizon radar transmitter at St. David's airfield.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the text of the memorandum of understanding signed by the United Kingdom and United States Governments on 20 April concerning St. David's military radar base.

Mr. Alan Clark

I shall be writing to the hon. Member on this and related issues.