§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of alternatives to the use of AS90s and multiple launch rocket systems on Salisbury plain and Otterburn; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Hanley[holding answer 15 July 1994:] My Department keeps possible alternative training areas under review. Apart from Salisbury plain and Otterburn, however, there are no training areas in the United Kingdom able to accommodate AS90 and MLRS. As far as overseas locations are concerned we will of course consider any viable alternatives while taking account of the financial and political implications of such training.
The only existing overseas training area which could accommodate the training needs of AS90 and MLRS is the British Army Training Unit at Suffield, Canada (BATUS). This facility is already utilised extensively by the British Army for battle group training. Climatic conditions and the emphasis placed by the Canadian authorities on their own increased in-country training requirements may not allow additional British training to take place.