HC Deb 15 May 1990 vol 172 cc391-2W
Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from members of the public about the withdrawal of Ministry of Defence police from royal ordnance, Bishopton.

Mr. Neubert

Forty three letters have been received registering protest at the plan to withdraw MDP from Bishopton.

Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision has been taken about the future deployment of the Ministry of Defence police at the royal ordnance factories at Glascoed, Bridgewater, Chorley, Nottingham and Radway Green; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert

Discussions with Royal Ordnance plc continue. No final decision has been taken.

Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many royal ordnance company guards will replace Ministry of Defence police on 1 June at royal ordnance, Bishopton; and what powers of arrest and detention employees of the company guard force will have.

Mr. Neubert

Fifty-one Royal Ordnance Company guards will replace Ministry of Defence police. The guards will have only citizen's powers of arrest and detention. The Strathclyde police, with whom our arrangements have been agreed, will provide a police response quickly when required.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide details of the compensation arrangements made on previous occasions where the circumstances are similar to those which would pertain near the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire.

Mr. Alan Clark

On no previous occasion have the circumstances been similar to those which would pertain near to the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation at St. David's airfield, Dyfed. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my earlier answer on 23 April at column74 on the subject of compensation.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the compensation arrangements which he will make if the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire, is approved.

Mr. Alan Clark

Where the provisions of the Land Compensation Act 1973 apply, my Department will pay compensation if the district valuer is satisfied that there is evidence of a reduction in the value of a residential property (or certain small businesses) as a consequence of bringing into use new works. The Act makes no provision for compensation where the consequence is solely the visual impact of the completed works, so there can be no assurance that its terms will apply in all or any cases that may arise under this proposal. Nonetheless, where the provisions of the Act do not apply, my Department is always prepared to consider reasonable claims for compensation if it can be demonstrated that actual loss has been sustained as a result of military activity.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is to carry out the independent environmental impact assessment study on the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation on the site of the former St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

I will announce details of the firm which is to carry out the independent environmental impact assessment on the proposed over-the-horizon radar installation at St. David's airfield, Pembrokeshire, once the contract is let.