§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the success rate of the Dodman exercise area for training; and if he will make a statement about its current use by members of his Department. [11810]
§ Mr. SoamesThe exercise areas off Dodman point in Cornwall are used for a variety of naval training purposes, including naval gunfire support training, which is part of essential operational sea Training, and simulates the provision of gunfire support from ships at sea to forces operating ashore. I am satisfied, as is the Navy, that acceptable levels of training are being achieved at Dodman, including steadily improving success rates for NGS firings, and that the area itself fully meets our training requirements.