Proof and Experimental Establishments (Hansard, 20 July 1994)

§ Mr. Ainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the existing length and area of the gunnery range at(a) Shoeburyness and (b) Pendine.

§ Mr. Aitken
The area and maximum length of the numerous gunnery ranges are as follows:

(a) Shoeburyness

Area: Over 34,000 acres including foreshore Gunnery Range: 25.7km.

(b) Pendine

Area: Over 4,700 acres including foreshore Gunnery Range: 20km.

§ Mr. Ainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the gross income generated from private contractors by each of the proof and experimental establishments in each of the last five years.

§ Mr. Aitken
The information requested is as follows:

§ Mr. Ainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his best estimate of the capital costs required to facilitate the proposed transfer of small arms and cannon work from Pendine to Shoeburyness.

§ Mr. Aitken
If the closure of the establishment is confirmed it is planned to place a commercial contract for this work. The estimate of cost is, therefore, commercially confidential. I can confirm, however, that the costs are included, but not separately identified, in the summary investment appraisal, attached to the Director General Test and Evaluation's consultative document.

§ Mr. Ainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those customers of the dynamic test bracks at proof and experimental establishment, Pendine who have been consulted by his Department during the Directorate General of Test and Evaluation study.

§ Mr. Aitken
The commercial customers concerned were the Society of British Aerospace Companies and Royal Ordnance plc. Discussions were also held with relevant internal Ministry of Defence customers including the Defence Research Agency.
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§ Mr. Ainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the gross income generated by the dynamic test tracks of proof and experimental establishment, Pendine in each of the last five years; and how much of this was from(a) private contractors and (b) Government organisations.

§ Mr. Aitken
The information requested is as follows:

Private £'000 Government £'000

FY 1989–90 253.18 —

FY 1990–91 260.73 —

FY 1991–92 485.23 —

FY 1992–93 5.55 —

FY 1993–94 — 1,086.60

The large amount of Government work in financial year 1993–94 is explained by the move of the Defence Research Agency to a trading fund.

§ Mr. Ainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the decontamination costs to date at Cold Meece.

§ Mr. Aitken
I will write to the hon. Member.

§ Mr. Ainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his best estimate of the total decontamination costs for Cold Meece.

§ Mr. Aitken
I will write to the hon. Member.

§ Mr. Ainger
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of MOD police for proof and experimental establishment, Pendine in each of the last five years.

§ Mr. Aitken
The information is as follows:

£K

1990–91 553

1991–92 570

1992–93 598

£000

Year Eshneals Shoeburyness ETC Foulness Pendine

1989–90 — 24.6 — —

1990–91 — 0.8 — —

1991–92 — 112.4 — —

1992–93 — 61.0 — —

1993–94 536.57 1,139.7 — 1,678.62

Note: The Proof and Experimental Establishments at Inchterf and Cold Meece, which closed in 1992 and 1993 respectively, are excluded from these figures. P and EE Lavington is included in the figures for P and EE Shoeburyness. Figures for financial year 1993–94 are higher than previous years because of the Defence Research Agency's move to a Trading Fund.

	Private £'000	Government £'000
FY 1989–90	253.18	—
FY 1990–91	260.73	—
FY 1991–92	485.23	—
FY 1992–93	5.55	—
FY 1993–94	—	1,086.60

£000
Year	Eshneals	Shoeburyness	ETC Foulness	Pendine
1989–90	—	24.6	—	—
1990–91	—	0.8	—	—
1991–92	—	112.4	—	—
1992–93	—	61.0	—	—
1993–94	536.57	1,139.7	—	1,678.62