§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the medium to long-term need for United Kingdom torpedo testing facilities; and if he will make a statement. [30028]
§ Dr. ReidCurrent plans for in-water testing of United Kingdom new production torpedoes assume the continuing use over the next ten years of the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (BUTEC). This facility is situated in North West Scotland and is managed by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence. In addition to testing of new production torpedoes, the BUTEC facilities are used for in-service trials and exercise firings, which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.