HC Deb 04 July 1988 vol 136 cc430-1W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the United States forces locations in the United Kingdom which are, or will be, connected to the digital European backbone system, indicating which will be user sites and which will be repeater sites;

(2) if he will list all United States unmanned military facilities similar to that at Rugby in the form of his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton of 20 June, Official Report, columns 431–32.

Mr. Freeman

The digital European backbone microwave communications system is a defence communications system for United States forces supporting NATO. It also provides communications for other allied nations, including the United Kingdom. However, on security grounds, I am not prepared to list all the sites in the system.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role does the unmanned United States relay station at Rugby play within NATO.

Mr. Freeman

I have nothing to add to my answer of 23 June 1988 to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Ms. Short), at column716.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those military facilities in the United Kingdom which are under joint United Kingdom-United States command.

Mr. Ian Stewart:

There are no military bases or facilities in the United Kingdom under joint United Kingdom-United States command.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military construction projects at installations in the United Kingdom used by United States forces for which he has been informed that funding in fiscal year 1988 has been given.

Mr. Ian Stewart

I understand that funding in fiscal year 1988 has been given for the following United States military construction projects:

RAF Alconbury:

Squadron operations facility—chemical warfare protection Installation of lire suppression system

RAF Bentwaters:

  • Office accommodation
  • Medical logistics storage

RAF Chicksands:

Communications upgrade

RAF Croughton:

Alter/add to water distribution system

RAF Lakenheath:

  • Base operations building
  • Control Tower
  • Combat arms range
  • Base supply storage
  • Post Office

RAF Welford:

Air based ground defence munitions storage

RAF Wethersfield:

  • Communications upgrade
  • Medical logistics storage

RAF Woodbridge:

Accommodation for unaccompanied enlisted personnel

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