§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions his Department has had with(a) EU member states and (b) the EU Commissioner for External Relations, regarding a European Union view on national missile defence. [53599]
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreements have been made with the USA regarding the use of UK facilities at(a) Fylingdales and (b) Menwith Hill. [53585]
§ Mr. IngramThe use of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning Station at RAF Fylingdales by the United Kingdom and the United States is governed by an exchange of notes between the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the American ambassador, dated 15 February 1960.
As with other UK bases that are made available to the United States visiting forces, the use of RAF Menwith Hill is governed by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement of 1951 and additional confidential arrangements.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions his Department has had with UK firms bidding for work on the US-initiated programme of national missile defence; and if he will make a statement. [53598]
§ Mr. HoonExpertise relating to missile defence was developed by a number of the United Kingdom companies during the Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme sponsored by the Ministry of Defence. An unclassified summary of the report was placed in the Library of the House on 26 February 2002. Regular discussions with firms take place as part of continuing activity in this area.