§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the underground reservoir adjacent to the bunker near High Wycombe will serve the underground defence centre; and whether this has been included in the estimate of £40 million cost given to the hon. Member for Salford, East on 24 February, Official Report, columns 402–3;
(2) whether the cost of the new underground operations and communications centre at High Wycombe, given in 310W the answer on 24 February, Official Report, columns 402–3, includes the estimated cost of infrastructure works associated with the centre, such as roads.
§ Mr. WigginYes, except for the reservoir, which is not connected with the new centre.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence how much land will be required for the new underground centre at High Wycombe; who at present owns the land; and what planning consent will be necessary.
§ Mr. Wiggin12 acres of land are required for the new underground operations centre at RAF High Wycombe. The land is owned by the National Trust and it has agreed in principle to lease it to MOD for a period of 99 years. The local planning authority has been consulted about the construction of the operations centre under the procedure laid down in Department of the Environment circular 7/77 and has raised no objections to the project.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is planned that any personnel, in addition to those routinely stationed there, will occupy the new underground operations and communications centre at High Wycombe in a time of tension.
§ Mr. WigginFor security reasons I cannot comment on the number of personnel who will occupy the operations and communications centre in a time of tension.