HC Deb 22 June 1989 vol 155 cc263-4W
Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are involved in the maintenance of security at the British Army of the Rhine base at Osnabruck.

Mr. Neubert

A range of measures, including the use of service personnel, is taken to maintain security at the base but, for security reasons, I am not prepared to disclose details.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are involved in the maintenance of security at British Army of the Rhine bases.

Mr. Neubert

For security reasons it is not our policy to divulge such details.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has about the reported bombing of Quebec barracks at the British Army of the Rhine base at Osnabruck; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert

At 0130 hours on 19 June 1989 an explosion took place at Quebec barracks at Osnabruck. The attack involved five high explosive devices, only one of which exploded. Shortly before the explosion, an unidentified intruder was challenged by a German civilian employee. The intruder was armed and a shot was fired. The German civilian was then struck in the face by the intruder, sustaining minor injuries. As a result of the shot being fired, the occupants of a nearby accommodation block were roused, the alarm was raised and several suspected devices were discovered outside the accommodation block. The building was successfully evacuated before one of the devices exploded. There were no casualties. Police inquiries are in progress in Germany and elsewhere.

It is worth noting that, like the failed attack on Clive barracks at Tern hill on 20 February this year, the terrorists' intention of causing significant casualties was thwarted by the vigilance and prompt action of on-duty personnel. In the case of Quebec barracks I would like to pay tribute to the action of the German employee who, though unarmed, challenged the intruder.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the annual expenditure on physical security arrangements for British Army of the Rhine bases in each of the last five years;

(2) what was the annual expenditure on physical security at the British Army of the Rhine base at Osnabruck for each of the last five years.

Mr. Neubert

It would require disproportionate cost and effort to identify such figures.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last co-ordinated test and evaluation of security at the Osnabruck British Army of the Rhine base was carried out.

Mr. Neubert

A co-ordinated test and evaluation of security at Quebec barracks was last carried out on 9 June 1989.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any civilian workers at British Army of the Rhine bases have any involvement in the maintenance of security at those bases.

Mr. Neubert

For security reasons it is not our policy to disclose this information.