§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Defence if plans exist for any expansion of (a) shore facilities and (b) sea area of the British underwater test and evaluation centre at Kyle of Lochalsh.
§ Mr. LeeThere is a requirement for additional storage facilities and a slipway at the shore site of the British underwater test and evaluation centre, and consideration is being given to acquiring a small site immediately adjacent to the existing shore facility. In assessing the adequacy of the BUTEC facility to its role of supporting the Navy's torpedo procurement programme, the possibility of the need arising for additional shore facilities at some stage in the future can never be ruled out. An outer border between ½ and 1 mile will be added to the existing sea area in which certain types of fishing will be prohibited, and this will be covered by the byelaws which come into effect on 25 March. The range itself is not being extended, nor are there any plans to do so. I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces' letter to him of 3 January 1984 which detailed the reasons for the introduction of an outer border.