HC Deb 06 February 1995 vol 254 cc40-2W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which civil servants or military personnel have met representatives from the campaign against the national park regarding the Otterburn training area in the Northumberland national park.

Mr. Soames

Although civil servants and military personnel from my Department come into contact with members of the campaign against the national park, no official meetings have been held with the organisation.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial or other support has been given by his Department or the Army to the campaign against the national park regarding the Otterburn training area in the Northumberland national park.

Mr. Soames

None.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken or will take to ensure that all interested local authorities as well as individuals and groups fully understand the proposed developments regarding possible new military training at the Otterburn training area in the Northumberland national park.

Mr. Soames

While formal consultation about the proposals which are eventually to be submitted by my Department will be a matter for the local planning authority, our environmental consultants have already sought the views of statutory bodies as well as a large number of voluntary sector groups and local people. In addition, my officials have provided general briefings to all local parish councils as well as Tynedale and Alnwick district councils.

Conducted tours of the ranges have also been provided to, amongst others, the Council for National Parks, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, the Northumberland and Newcastle Society, the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Friends of the Northumberland National Park and the Northumberland National Park Committee. The national park officer has also been briefed on my Department's AS90 and multi-launch rocket system proposals for Otterburn training area.

Finally, arrangements are in hand to provide a static exhibition which explains fully our proposals. The exhibition, which we expect to be available in the spring, will be placed in a number of key locations in the local area.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by how many the number of civilian posts at the Otterburn training area is expected to rise or fall(a) if the proposed development regarding the AS90 and multi-launch rocket system proceeds and (b) if the proposed development does not take place.

Mr. Soames

We do not expect there to be any change in the number of staff employed at Otterburn training area if my Department's current proposals regarding the AS90 and multi-launch rocket system do not proceed. Up to 15 additional staff may be required, however, if the training area is developed as proposed.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are involving the cessation of military training at the Otterburn training area.

Mr. Soames

Otterburn training area provides essential training facilities which could not be dispensed with or easily replicated elsewhere. Consequently, we have no plans to reduce or phase out military training at the Otterburn training area.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions he has met representatives of the campaign against the national park regarding the Otterburn training area in Northumberland national park; whether he has been invited to any meeting on the issue; and when representations regarding this organisation and its aims were made to him and by whom.

Mr. Soames

No official meetings have taken place with members or representatives of the campaign against the national park and no invitations have been received from the organisation. My officials received a request from the CANP last year for a briefing on AS90 and the multi-launch rocket system, in relation to the proposed developments at Otterburn.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department or the Army have been consulted by the campaign against the national park regarding the Otterburn training area in the Northumberland national park.

Mr. Soames

The campaign against the national park is one of a number of organisations which have made representations to my Department expressing their views about our proposals for the Otterburn training area.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what benefits have been offered by his Department or the Army to their tenant farmers at the Otterburn training area on the basis of the proposed developments involving the AS90 and multi-launch rocket system proceeding.

Mr. Soames

None.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many full-time and part-time civilian posts exist at the Otterburn training area in Northumberland.

Mr. Soames

One hundred and ten full-time and 10 part-time civilian personnel are employed by my Department at Otterburn training area, together with 14 contractor's full-time personnel.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to reduce or phase out military training at the Otterburn training area should the proposed development concerning the AS90 and multi-launch rocket system not take place.

Mr. Soames

Otterburn training area provides essential training facilities which could not be dispensed with or easily replicated elsewhere. Consequently, we have no plans to reduce or phase out military training at the Otterburn training area if the proposed development does not take place.