§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Defence what use is to be made during 1977 of the firing ranges at Brown-down, Gosport.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownLive firing will be discontinued from 1st April 1977,428W but the ranges will continue to be used for other types of field training.
§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have recently been implemented in the use of the firing ranges at Browndown, Gosport.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThere have been no recent changes in the use of the firing ranges at Browndown.
§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the increased safety precautions which are proposed to be taken at the firing ranges at Browndown, Gosport.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownLive firing at Browndown is to be discontinued for an experimental period of one year as from 1st April 1977. In view of this, no expenditure on increased safety precautions is planned.
§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Defence what alternative arrangements have been made following the decision not to use the firing ranges at Browndown during the last nine months of 1977.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownFiring at Browndown will be transferred to the Royal Navy range at Tipner and to the Army ranges at Chilcombe near Winchester, and Longmoor.
§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that personnel of Her Majesty's Armed Forces will be able to receive satisfactory small arms training and practice in view of the decision not to use firing ranges at Browndown in Gosport during the last nine months of 1977.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownYes. However, Browndown range is being maintained on a care and maintenance basis, and the situation will be reviewed in a year's time in the light of experience.