§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to neutralise the recently installed radar equipment at HMS Cambridge at Wembury, south Devon so as to prevent interference with hearing aids of residents in nearby villages and to prevent security lights from being tripped; and if he will make a statement. [41491]
§ Mr. SoamesThe new Watchman radar which is sited at HMS Cambridge provides air traffic control cover above the Plymouth sea exercise areas for flag officer sea training, whose activity has recently moved from Portland to Plymouth.
661WThese radars first entered service about five years ago and there are now more than 50 in use in the UK. We are not aware that similar problems are being encountered elsewhere and therefore had no expectation of any in south Devon. However, we have arranged for a team of technical experts to visit the area to examine the impact of the radar and to investigate the problems that local residents are reporting. This is planned to commence on 9 November. The team proposes to conduct a "surgery" in the area, followed by technical investigations. Should it be established that the radar is indeed causing these problems, we shall of course do all that we can to resolve them.