§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many American citizens work at the joint analysis centre at Molesworth; how many British citizens work at the centre; whether GCHQ staff are employed at the centre; whether toxic chemicals are stored on or near the centre; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThere are currently 463 US military and civilian personnel, and four United Kingdom military personnel assigned to the joint analysis centre—JAC—at RAF Molesworth. No United Kingdom civilians are employed at the JAC. Additionally, there are United Kingdom and United States staff located a t RAF Molesworth and RAF Alconbury who support the JAC. There is a hazardous waste storage facility at RAF Molesworth which stores items temporarily until they can be disposed of in accordance with regulations. Examples of hazardous items stored at this facility are petroleum, paint products and dry batteries.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what justification there is for the expansion of the joint analysis centre at Molesworth; what is the connection between this station and Menwith Hill station in North Yorkshire; how much the expansion of the joint analysis centre at Molesworth has cost; Who paid for the expansion of the centre; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyNo expansion of the joint analysis centre at RAF Molesworth is currently being undertaken. The decision to locate the JAC at RAF Molesworth, announced! by my predecessor on 11 January 1990 at columns 691–92, has entailed construction work at the station. Use has also been made of existing facilities at RAF Molesworth although some modification work has been necessary. This work is ongoing and has been subject to normal planning procedures. The role of the centre is to process and analyse military information from a variety of sources.