HC Deb 14 June 1994 vol 244 cc533-4W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements, in addition to the agreement regarding the status of forces of parties to the North Atlantic treaty of 1951, have been made between Her Majesty's Government and the United States of America concerning Menwith Hill station.

Mr. Hanley

The site at Menwith Hill has been made available to the United States visiting forces and their civilian component in accordance with the agreement regarding the status of forces of parties to the North Atlantic treaty of 1951 and other arrangements appropriate to the relationship which exists between the United Kingdom and United States for the purposes of our common defence. It is not our practice to comment on the detail of such agreements.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the role of the National Security Agency of America in running Menwith Hill station in North Yorkshire; how many people working at Menwith Hill station are employed by the NSA, and who employs the chief of Menwith Hill station.

Mr. Hanley

I refer the hon. Member to the Adjournment debate of 25 March 1994 concerning Menwith Hill station, North Yorkshire,Official Report, columns 609–16.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many GCHQ staff are employed at Menwith Hill station.

Mr. Hanley

There is a significant GCHQ presence at Menwith Hill station. It is not Government policy, however, to give more detailed information on the deployment of GCHQ staff.