HC Deb 27 April 1995 vol 258 cc692-3W
Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safety precautions are planned to be taken by his Department during naval gunnery support training when this is undertaken off Dodman Point in Cornwall. [21265]

Mr. Soames

Safety is the paramount consideration in conducting naval gunfire support training. Safety procedures involve a number of distinct and independent checks which must all be completed before the commanding officer can give approval to fire. Moreover, the area will be monitored visually by military observers, and by a range safety craft. These measures are designed to ensure the safety of all marine users in the area. It is a feature of NGS training that the Royal Navy vessel works around all other marine activity, and that there is no question of any exclusion areas, whether for vessels or for people.

Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Army personnel and civilian work force are involved in naval gunnery support exercises at Lulworth ranges; where these personnel are normally based; and what the job implications are for removing these exercises from Lulworth. [21264]

Mr. Soames

There are not civilian personnel at Lulworth currently in support of naval gunfire support training. Three shore-based Army observers support NGS training at Lulworth and are drawn from 148 Battery Royal Artillery, based at Poole. This battery will continue to support NGS training when it moves to the area off Dodman Point. There are therefore no job implications for personnel at Lulworth.

Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of the Lulworth ranges for naval gunnery support training; if the gunfire has always been directed into the sea; and what incidents have been recorded of the projectiles landing onshore when they were aimed at the sea. [21266]

Mr. Soames

Naval gunfire support training has been carried out at Lulworth without incident for more than 20 years. The firing position is in Weymouth bay, firing parallel with the coast at a target sited two miles out to sea from St. Albans head.