§ Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the radius from the radio station at Orfordness within which there could be a hazard from radiation; and what steps he intends to take to safeguard fishermen and yachtsmen from this danger.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe zone in which radiation could create a biological hazard to human beings does not reach the sea around Orfordness. The site is a prohibited area to the public, and warning notices will be erected.
§ Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the date on which the United States Government first asked the British Government for permission to construct the proposed radar station at Orfordness.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesDiscussions between the two Governments began in October 1966, and agreement was reached in June 1967.
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§ Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for Defence why his proposal to allow the construction of an Anglo-American radar station at Orfordness in Suffolk was not referred to in the Defence Estimates, 1968.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesA public announcement was made on 24th August, 1967, about the decision to build the radio research station and at the time of preparation of the Statement on the Defence Estimates, 1968 there was no new information about the project which would justify a special reference to it.
§ Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to be able to give the estimated cost to Government funds of the proposed radar station at Orfordness.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesShortly.
§ Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the proposed Anglo-American Radar Station at Orfordness is expected to result in Great Britain having greater warning of attack by missiles.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAs I said in answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Eye (Sir H. Harrison) on 12th March, this station will carry out radio research, some of which: could have a bearing on methods of early warning of missile attacks.—[Vol. 750, c.273.]
§ Mr. David Howellasked the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds he has authorised the expenditure of public funds on the construction of an Anglo-American Radar Station at Orfordness.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesOn the grounds of the benefits to be expected from the research to be carried out by this radio station.
§ Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Defence why he invited tenders for the construction of the new Anglo-American Radar Station at Orfordness on 19th January, 1968, and only informed the East Suffolk County Council of his proposal to construct the radar station on 29th January, 1968.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI regret that our original letter of 8th January, 1968, to the planning authority about this develop22W ment was wrongly addressed to the West Suffolk County Council; but we have since had most useful discussions with the East Suffolk County Council.
§ Mr. Kirkasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the strategic implications for Great Britain's defence policy of the decision to set up a new radar station at Orfordness in Suffolk.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Eye (Sir H. Harrison) on 12th March.—[Vol. 760, c.273.]
§ Mr. Kirkasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has made a cost benefit study on his proposal to build a new radar station at Orfordness in Suffolk.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe decision to proceed with this development was taken after weighing the benefits to be expected from the research to be carried out by this radio station against the probable cost to the United Kingdom. The choice of a site was also greatly influenced by technical considerations.