§ 66. Mr. Gordon Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount of civilan wages paid in the Hebrides on the work of the rocket range in each of the years 1966, 1967 and 1968; and what relation these figures bear to his Department's recent estimate that the range is bringing into the Islands each year about £200,000 worth of civilian wages.
§ Mr. RichardThe total approximate expenditure by the Ministry of Defence on civilian wages for the years mentioned was as follows:
£ 1966 72,000 1967 71,000 1968 72,000 This amount will increase year by year, rising by 1973 to about £200,000 as the labour force grows with the development of the range.
§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of civilians presently employed at the rocket range in Uist ; what were the average figures for 1968 and 1967 ; what is the estimated average for 1970 and 1971 ; how much the estimated £200,000 for civilian wages refers exclusively to the imbursement of those employees ; how much it takes into account other factors ; and if he will list these.
§ Mr. Richard: The number of civilians presently employed by the Ministry of Defence at the rocket range in Uist is 85. The figures for 1967 and 1968 were 84 and 82 respectively. The estimated averages for 1970 and 1971 are 94 and 124 respectively. Of the estimated £200,000 for civilian wages when development is complete about £170,000 refers exclusively to the imbursement of the employees, the remainder is accounted for by National Insurance (Employers' Contribution) and Graduated Pensions. These figures do not include Ministry of Public Building and Works permanent 36W staff employed in connection with the range.
§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the civilians presently employed at the rocket range in Uist are locals resident for five years or more in Uist ; and what was the figure in 1967 and 1968.
§ Mr. Richard: Of the 85 civilians employed at present by the Ministry of Defence at the Hebrides Rocket Range, 81 have been resident in the islands for 5 years or more. The figures for previous years are not readily available.
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total sum spent on the Hebridean Rocket Range from its inception, detailed year by year.
§ Mr. RichardFigures prior to 1965 are not readily available. The approximate figures for capital expenditure and annual running costs in subsequent years are:
1965 £500,000 1966 £400,000 1967 £500,000 1968 £550,000
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons have been employed in connection with the Hebridean Rocket Range in each year since its inception divided into military personnel, incoming civilians and local civilians, respectively.
§ Mr. RichardThe following figures refer to the numbers of War Department and Ministry of Defence personnel employed at the Hebrides Rocket Range. They do not include the military strength of visiting units which use the range nor permanent staff of the Ministry of Public Building and Works employed in connection with the range.
year Military Incoming civilians Local Civilians 1958 115 Nil Nil 1959 112 1 11 1960 174 2 49 1961 174 2 59 1962 158 2 76 1963 158 2 89 1964 149 1 83 1965 149 1 85 1966 149 1 84 1967 149 1 83 1968 156 2 80 1969 156 2 83 In addition to the above figures there has been an increase in the summer strength of the military staff.
37W
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the cost of the expansion of the Hebridean Rocket Range ; and how many permanent jobs will this expansion provide divided into military, incoming civilians and local civilians, respectively.
§ Mr. RichardThe estimated capital cost of the project to develop the Hebrides Rocket Range is about £6 million. When the development is complete it is estimated that the Ministry of Defence will provide employment there for 337 military, 20 incoming civilians, and 186 local civilians. These figures do not include Ministry of Public Building and Works permanent staff employed in connection with the range.
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the reason for the expansion to the Hebridean Rocket Range.
§ Mr. RichardThe expansion of the Hebrides Rocket Range will provide facilities for the practice firing of the Rapier and Blowpipe surface to air guided weapon.systems and the AN/USD 501 Reconnaissance Drones. It is part of a rationalisation programme of artillery ranges designed to achieve overall economies in manpower and running costs. The range will also provide improved facilities for the firing of research rockets by the Meteorological Office and the Science Research Council.
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence what uninhabited islands his Department has surveyed for a rocket range to avoid interference with the commerce of islanders.
§ Mr. RichardNo detailed survey of uninhabited islands as such was carried out. Technical considerations make unsuitable such of those islands as might conceivably be available. Nor would it be practical or economic to establish the main base for a practice range on an uninhabited island because of the requirements for local civilian labour, an airfield, communication facilities, and other logistic and administrative factors.
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence what concessions have been made by his Department to meet the objections of the islander to the extension of the rocket range and all actions in connection with the extension.
38W
§ Mr. RichardAs a result of discussions with the Scottish Office and other interested parties the following changes have already been made to the range areas, equipment and procedures to meet the objections of the islanders.
- 1. The agreed extension to the sea danger area has been reduced and adjusted to avoid interference around the Island of Barra.
- 2. The start of firing has been put back from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. during the summer months.
- 3. The danger area has been divided into two parts to give greater flexibility in activating danger areas.
- 4. A craft fitted with radio and radar will be provided for liaison purposes.
- 5. Radar reflectors will be issued free of charge to the fishermen. Their use will increase flexibility and allow fishing to continue in parts of the range whilst certain firings are taking place in other areas.
- 6. A radio telephone will be installed on the Monach Islanis solely for the use of fishermen.
- 7. A range liaison committee has been established. The secretary of this committee also acts as a liaison officer with the fishermen between meetings.
- 8. Assurances have been given about the use of certain summer anchorages used by the fishermen.
- 9. It has been agreed that in the event of deteriorating weather the fishermen would be allowed to go into the danger area, during the time it was activated, to lift creels.
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total acreage of land taken over in connection with the rocket range in each year since its inception, stating, in each case, the area acquired by compulsory purchase and the average price paid per acre.
§ Mr. RichardThe total acreage of land taken over it connection with the Hebrides Rocket Range in each year since its inception is as follows:
1958 105 acres: taken over by the Army from the R.A.F. 1959 3 acres. 1960 1,330 acres (including approximately 200 acres of foreshore). Of this 1,321 acres were acquired compulsorily. 1961–68 Nil. 1969 962 acres (including approximately 100 acres of foreshore) plus 225 acres over which we have firing rights. The average cost per acre of land purchased was £8. This figure excludes compensation for loss of use paid to crofters as agreed by the Scottish Land Court.
39W
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will break down the £200,000 worth of civilian wages into categories of employees brought into the islands each year in civilian wages by the rocket range in the Outer Isles.
§ Mr. RichardWhen the development of the Hebrides Rocket Range is complete it is estimated that the Ministry of Defence civilian wages bill will divide into the following categories
Wages for about 60 non-industrialists—about £70,000.Wages for about 146 industrials—about £130,000.These figures do not include Ministry of Public Buildings and Works permanent staff employed in connection with the range.