§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of visiting forces other than those from the United States of America based in the United Kingdom; and where are they located. [33572]
§ Dr. ReidThis information is not held centrally.However, from the records which are available, the information requested is currently as follows:
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Number RMA Sandhurst 72 BRNC Dartmouth 1 JSCSC Bracknell 93 RMCS Shrivenham 26 DTEO Boscombe Down 1 RAF Benson 1 RAF Boulmer 1 RAF Brampton 1 RAF Brize Norton 1 RAF Buchan 2 RAF Coltishall 3 RAF Cranwell 33 RAF Coningsby 5 RAF Cottesmore 124 RAF Halton 1 RAFSEE Henlow 1 RAF Honington 1 RAF Innsworth 1 RAF High Wycombe 173 RAF Kinloss 3 RAF Leeming 3 RAF Leuchars 2 RAF Linton 3 RAF Locking 2 RAF Lossiemouth 3 RAF Lyneham 4 RAF Marham 5 RAF Neatishead 2 RAF Northwood 1 RAF Odiham 1 DHFS Shawbury 7 RAF St. Athan 5 RAF Valley 6 RAF Waddington 2 RAF West Drayton 1 RAF Wyton 2 RNAS Portland 8 RNAS Culdrose 9 RNAS Gannet 3
Number RNAS Yeovilton 2 Portsmouth area 143 Plymouth area 66 Northwood 2 Bath 5 Faslane 2 Bristol 5 Chattenden 18 Poole 1 Aboard HM Ships 13 Warminster 7 RSME Minley 6 Andover 2 Larkhill 9 Chertsey 1 Bordon 11 Brecon 2 Marchwood 2 Salisbury 1 Chicksands 14 Chepstow 1 Catterick 2 Hermitage 8 Bovington 2 Bulford 3 Ash Vale 1 South Cerney 1 Blandford 12 Dishforth 1 Windsor 1 Kineton 9 Hullavington 1 Upavon 1 Beeston 1 Chatham 2 Middle Wallop 1 Colchester 1 London 10 Beaconsfield 11 Farnborough 7 Pirbright 1 Longmore 4 Barrow 1 Total 1,007 These figures include overseas personnel on training courses, non-US NATO personnel and foreign personnel serving on exchange appointments with our Armed Forces.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 1998,Official Report, column 490, what is the function in each case of the United States visiting forces based at (a) RAF Alconbury, Molesworth and Upwood, (b) RAF Croughton, (c) RAF Dow s Hill, Hythe and West Ruislip, (d) RAF Farnborough, (e) RAF Leuchars, (f) RAF Menwith Hill and (g) RAF Mildenhall; and if he will make a statement. [33573]
§ Dr. ReidThe primary task undertaken by United States Visiting Force personnel at the sites in question are as follows:
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Site Function RAF Alconbury Storage/Support RAF Croughton Communications/Support RAF Daws Hill Storage/Support RAF Hythe Storage/Support
Site Function RAF Menwith Hill Communication RAF Mildenhall USAF Main Aircraft Operation Base RAF Molesworth Storage/Support RAF Upwood Storage/Support West Ruislip Storage/Support RAF Farnborough USAF Exchange Officers with the RAF School of Aviation Medicine RAF Leuchars USAF Exchange Officers with Tornado F3 Squadron
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 1998,Official Report, column 490, (1) if he will provide a breakdown between (a) service and (b) civilian personnel for each category identified; [33570]
(2) if he will list the RAF bases where no United States visiting forces are based; [33565]
(3) if he will list the total number of United States visiting forces based in the United Kingdom; and if he will indicate where they were based for each year from 1985 to 1996. [33566]
§ Dr. ReidI will write to the hon Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had since 1 May 1997 with United States nationals concerning the numbers and functions of United States visiting forces present in the United Kingdom. [33568]
§ Dr. ReidMatters relating to the presence of the US Visiting Force are the subject of regular discussions between MOD officials and representatives of the UK Government.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the presence in the United Kingdom of United States visiting forces within his Department's establishments. [33545]
§ Dr. ReidWe welcome the US Visiting Forces' presence in the United Kingdom which forms an important part of the United States' continuing commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the security of Europe. We also welcome the contribution that the US force provides to United Nations peacekeeping and humanitarian aid operations.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 1998,Official Report, column 490, if he will identify at which establishment the presence of United States visiting forces is not directly to fulfil a NATO function. [33567]
§ Dr. ReidAll members of the US Visiting Force based in the United Kingdom are available to undertake tasks in support of NATO.