Dr. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Defence why the testing of naval internal combustion engines cannot be carried out on part of the 80-acre site declared by his Department to be becoming surplus to his requirements at Priddy's Hard rather than in new construction in a residential area at Blackbrook, Fareham.
§ Dr. David Owen:Only the smaller engines are tested at Blackbrook Farm and for this purpose a set of new specially insulated test beds are being provided in a specially designed building incorporating acoustic lining in the fabric. To site this new building at Priddy's Hard would give rise to increased manpower and running costs. It would also be several years before a site at Priddy's Hard could be available and this itself already has residential properties on its northern boundary.
Dr. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Defence where test-running of naval Deltic engines is being carried out within the Fareham and Gosport area.
§ Dr. David Owen:At the Royal Naval Aircraft Yard, Fleetlands.