§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he received a document entitled "Outbrief-Environmental Compliance Status Survey, Menwith Hill Station"; what action he took upon receipt of this document; if he will place a copy in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [31954]
§ Mr. SoamesThe document referred to is an internal US report dating from 1992. Remedial action has been taken by the station in accordance with its recommendations and a rolling programme of improvements is underway. The document is for US official use only and as such will not be made available for public dissemination.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records are maintained concerning the disposal of hazardous waste from RAF Menwith Hill; how and where such hazardous waste from RAF Menwith Hill; how and where such hazardous waste is disposed of; and if he will make a statement. [31958]
§ Mr. SoamesRecords concerning the disposal of hazardous waste are maintained in accordance with US and UK legislative requirements. Hazardous waste is disposed of by licensed specialist contractors.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action has been taken to ensure that the containment dykes for above-ground storage tanks at RAF Menwith Hill are sufficiently secure to ensure that no spilt material can escape; and what action is being taken to improve the health and safety standards in the storage and labelling of hazardous material, with particular reference to chlorofluorocarbons at RAF Menwith Hill. [31956]
§ Mr. SoamesThe station continues to pay close attention to the containment facilities which are regularly inspected in order to verify their integrity and avoid spillages. The handling of hazardous materials at RAF Menwith Hill has improved and a project is under way to build a permanent segregated compound for the storage of these materials. A control of substances hazardous to health assessment of all chemicals is undertaken when materials arrive on site in order to ensure that proper labelling and user instructions exists. A staff hazard education programme has also been implemented. Significant progress has been made in the last four years limiting the use of CFCS and other class 1 substances in accordance with the requirements of the Montreal protocol and management of these substances now conforms to agreed international standards.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what systems are in place to monitor levels of radiation at RAF Menwith Hill; who is responsible for 47W such monitoring; if their reports are made available to the public; and what precautions and preventative measures are being taken to protect the health and safety of the base population, the local community and local environment from the effects of radiation emitted by operations at RAF Menwith Hill. [31953]
§ Mr. SoamesNo monitoring systems are required since there are no ionising radiation emissions from any facility at RAF Menwith Hill. Radio frequency signals similar to those used in FM radio broadcasting are relayed through the station, but these signals have a very low energy level and do not cause molecular changes or "ionisation". Hence there is no risk to the base population, the local community or the local environment from emissions of this type of radiation.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions and arrangements are taking place concerning the renewal of the security of tenure in May 1977 at National Security Agency, Menwith Hill station between the US army and the British Government; and if the renewal arrangements will be brought before the House. [31957]
§ Mr. SoamesNone. The site at Menwith Hill has been made available to United States authorities by Her Majesty's Government under arrangements that exist for our mutual defence. The precise nature of these arrangements are confidential.