§ Sir Humphrey Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with security arrangements at the royal small arms factory, Enfield.
§ Mr. HeseltineI have been concerned to read the comments made by the House of Commons Defence Committee about security at RSAF Enfield. As the Committee recognises, the factory has initiated a substantial programme of physical security improvements, taking full account of the advice it received from the Metropolitan police in discussions arranged by my Department. The factory's plans were already well advanced at the time the Committee began its inquiry, when a presentation was given about security improvements in prospect. As for Ministry of Defence police numbers at the factory, in which the Committee was right to take a close interest, I have agreed that the complement should be increased and manpower provided so that there will be more MDP officers at Enfield than at any time in the last decade. Some additional officers have already been posted in.