§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the implications in regard to(a) future employment, (b) environmental restoration from con-tamination arising from testing activities and (c) the electromagnetic rail upon research, development demon-stration programme of his oral announcement on 14 July of the closure of the Dundrennan test range at Kirkcudbright, Official Report, column 172.
§ Mr. FreemanThe test and evaluation establishment Kirkcudbright currently employs 31 MOD civilians and about 100 contractors staff. The electro-magnetic launcher facility, which is operated by the Defence Research Agency, is not affected by the proposed closure and up to 25 people would need to be retained—primarily to maintain range security and safety—for as long as the DRA require the facility. As far as restoration from contamination is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the reply of my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger),Official Report, 15 July, column 818.