Range Facilities (Hansard, 13 January 1997)

Dr. John Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities are available at the Shoeburyness range that are not available at any other range of his Department. [10153]

§ Mr. Arbuthnot
This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive, DERA, to write to the right hon. Member.
Letter from John Chisholm to Dr. John Cunningham, dated 13 January 1997: I have been asked to reply to your question about the facilities available at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) Shoeburyness range which are not available at any other range, since as Chief Executive of DERA this is a matter for which I am responsible. The Shoeburyness range has the only facilities within DERA which enable the following activities to be undertaken:

(a) overwater recovery for shells to a range of 24 kilometres

(b) long range ground to ground firing up to 17 kilometres

(c) Environmental Test Centre for hazardous stores and weapons

(d) ammunition disposal meeting Environmental Agency requirements

(e) fragmentation trials routinely requiring a danger area above 1,800 metres radius.

I hope this information is helpful.
120W

Dr. Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy for the long-term provision of range facilities for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency; and if he will make a statement. [10274]

§ Mr. Arbuthnot
DERA's ranges are provided to meet the current and future needs of the Ministry of Defence and its prime contractors in a competitive and cost-effective manner. Because current requirements are declining, especially for ranges in support of the land programmes, DERA is at present undertaking a study to determine the most cost effective way to provide these essential capabilities. Major users of DERA's land ranges, both within the Ministry of Defence and UK industry, are being consulted. No final decisions have been taken, but if the study recommends significant changes to the way in which the land ranges are run, then staff, unions and other interested parties will be fully consulted in the normal way.