Castlemartin Range, Pembrokeshire

HC Deb 18 May 1990 vol 172 c577W

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to close or reduce the use of the Castlemartin range, Pembrokeshire; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

There are no plans either to close or to reduce the use of the Castlemartin range.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use by the German armed forces of the Castlemartin range and any proposals to increase or reduce their usage of the range.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The German army has shared the use of the Royal Armoured Corp range at Castlemartin with the British Army under a Government-to-Government arrangement since 1961. This sharing arrangement is considered by both sides to be highly satisfactory. I am not aware of any intention on the part of the German army to alter its level of activity at the range.