§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what study he made of a site north of the Rathlin Islands as being suitable for the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre.
§ Mr. BuckA detailed examination was made of the deep area near Rathlin Island. It was judged unsuitable for the BUTEC.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence on what evidence he concluded that the Sound of Raasay was the only possible site for the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre.
§ Mr. BuckThe site for the BUTEC must satisfy a number of criteria, including depth and extent of sheltered water, nature of the sea bottom, acoustic characteristics, and traffic density. After a preliminary review, a number of sites were considered in detail. It was following this examination that the Inner Sound of Raasay was proposed as the site for the BUTEC. A number of sites suggested by outside interests were considered also but proved unsuitable.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what undertakings were given by the Ministry of Defence officials at public meetings in Portree on the question of the timing of work going ahead at the BUTEC, Sound of Raasay.
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§ Mr. BuckMinistry of Defence officials expressed the hope that, if the necessary approvals were forthcoming, the BUTEC would be operational at the end of 1976. Work to achieve this would, of course, start earlier.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the dangers to users of outboard motors within a 10-mile radius of the BUTEC.
§ Mr. BuckGreat care is being taken to establish appropriate safety arrangements, and there is no reason why these should not be fully effective with respect to the use of outboard motors.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what ferry services have been withdrawn as a result of the siting of BUTEC in the Sound of Raasay.
§ Mr. BuckNo ferry services have been withdrawn as a result of the present use of the Inner Sound of Raasay for torpedo trials. Nor do we anticipate that the siting of the BUTEC there would necessitate their withdrawal.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the United States Government on the siting, of BUTEC in the United States.