HC Deb 18 March 1996 vol 274 cc63-4W
Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to public funds of the RAF's present responsibilities at Menwith Hill. [20625]

Mr. Soames

Most costs at RAF Menwith Hill to my Department are reimbursed by the US Government. The principal cost for which my Department receives no reimbursement is for the Ministry of Defence police overtime occasioned by activities of protesters, which amounted to approximately £100,000 in 1994–95.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who owns the 23 radomes and signals interpretation equipment at Menwith Hill. [20623]

Mr. Soames

The radomes and most of the equipment at RAF Menwith Hill are owned by the United States Government.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many residents at Menwith Hill station are entitled to vote in British elections. [20633]

Mr. Soames

None.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) British and (b) United States personnel work at, or for, both Forest Moor royal naval communications base and RAF Menwith Hill. [20645]

Mr. Soames

There are currently 600 UK employees and 1,200 United States personnel employed at RAF Menwith Hill, and 132 UK employees and no United States personnel employed at Forest Moor royal naval communications base. No personnel work for both bases.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the squadron leader in charge is resident at Menwith Hill. [20632]

Mr. Soames

No.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the squadron leader in charge at Menwith Hill is security cleared for access to intercepted data. [20628]

Mr. Soames

It is not our policy to comment on specific security arrangements.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed at Menwith Hill; and of these how many are US personnel. [20626]

Mr. Soames

There are currently 1,800 personnel employed at RAF Menwith Hill, of whom 1,200 are United States personnel.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the United States Government reimburses the British Government for the salaries of his Department's staff at Menwith Hill. [20624]

Mr. Soames

Approximately £5.4 million per annum.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many employees at Menwith Hill are security cleared for access to intercepted data. [20630]

Mr. Soames

It is not our policy to comment on specific security arrangements.