HC Deb 24 April 1995 vol 258 cc397-8W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the position of the sites of current and disused sea dumping grounds for(a) explosives and (b) chemical weapons; [20525]

(2) if he will list the tonnage and type of (a) explosive and (b) chemical weapons which have been dumped at sea since 1965 in each of the current and disused dumping grounds. [20524]

Mr. Freeman

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 31 March to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark)Official Report, column 875.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times a customer's preference for a particular range has not been agreed to by officials of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. [20526]

Mr. Freeman

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have therefore asked him to reply.

Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 24 April 1995: In today's written answer the Minister of State for Defence Procurement informed you that I would be replying to your (No. 20526) about how many times a customer's preference for a particular range has not been agreed to by the officials of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I am aware of no such cases. In any event, DTEO, like the rest of the Agency, is dependent upon customers to pay for its services. If a customer is unhappy with the service offered, the decision rests with the customer as to whether to proceed. I hope that this information is helpful.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which officials within the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency allocate projects to ranges when a customer has expressed a preference for a particular range to carry out trials and tests. [20522]

Mr. Freeman

This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have therefore asked him to reply.

Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 24 April 1995: In today's written answer the Minister of State for Defence procurement informed you that I would be replying to your question (No 20522) about which officials within the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency allocate projects to ranges when a customer has expressed a preference for a particular range to carry out trials and tests. Within DERA, the test ranges are managed by the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation (DTEO), one of the four constituent divisions of the Agency. Where a customer has expressed a preference for a particular range this is taken into account by the assignment manager responsible for the particular customer's programme. If the proposed location is not suitable the customer would be appraised of this. If the customer's trial is one for which more than one range is suitable he would be made aware of any additional costs associated with performing the trial at any alternative site. Since DTEO is part of an Agency its trading status ensures it places great emphasis upon customers' preferences. I hope that this information is helpful.