§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that the activities undertaken at RAF Fylingdales are in the national interest of the United Kingdom. [131281]
§ Mr. IngramRAF Fylingdales has operated as a ballistic missile early warning station for some 40 years, and provides an essential component of United Kingdom defences. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence told the House on 15 January 2003,Official Report, column 698, we are satisfied that the upgrade of the radar at RAF Fylingdales for missile defence purposes will also be in the national interest. The Ministry of Defence is negotiating an annex to the recently signed Ballistic Missile Defence Memorandum of Understanding with the United States to cover the upgrade, and is discussing with the US the operational arrangements for its use in missile defence. These agreements will ensure that UK interests are protected.
1171W
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the silos at RAF Molesworth were last inspected under the terms of the INF Treaty 1987. [131282]
§ Mr. IngramI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 28 February 2003,Official Report, column 739W.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations where he has permitted the X-band system to be based. [131283]
§ Mr. IngramI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 7 March 2003,Official Report, column 1257W. The position remains that the United States has not asked us to site an X-Band radar in the UK, nor are we aware of any plans to do so.