HC Deb 21 March 1996 vol 274 cc285-6W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planned numbers of United States military personnel at Menwith Hill station will be in(a) the coming year, (b) the next three years and (c) the next five years. [21846]

Mr. Soames

It is not our policy to give details of personnel assignment.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) United States, (b) British and (c) Government communications headquarters personnel currently work at Menwith Hill station. [21848]

Mr. Soames

There are currently approximately 1,200 United States and 600 UK personnel employed at RAF Menwith Hill. This includes a significant GCHQ presence. It is not Government policy, however, to give more detailed information on the deployment of GCHQ staff.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which members of the Intelligence and Security Committee visited Menwith Hill station; if the Committee took(a) oral and (b) written evidence before its visit; who the Committee met during the visit; what report the Committee plans to make about work undertaken at the station; and if he will make a statement; [21839]

(2) when the Intelligence and Security Committee visited Menwith Hill station; what was the purpose of its visit; if the proposal that Menwith Hill station should become an RAF station was discussed; who invited the Committee to visit; how long the visit lasted; to what parts of the station the Committee was denied access; what was the outcome of the visit; and if he will make a statement. [21840]

Mr. Soames

It is not the Government's practice to disclose details of the Intelligence and Security Committee's business. The Committee itself does this through its annual report to the Prime Minister which he lays before Parliament; the publication of other reports is dependent on their content.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into links between the operations of Menwith Hill station and local incidence of cancer. [21841]

Mr. Saomes

My Department has neither commissioned nor evaluated any such research. Health issues affecting the local population are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are taken to ensure that operations at Menwith Hill station (i) comply with the Interception of Communications Act 1985 and (ii) do not intercept the communications of British businesses. [21843]

Mr. Soames

All interception of communications on public telecommunications networks in the UK is subject to the provisions of the Interception of Communications Act 1985. It is not Government policy to comment on the detailed operations of the intelligence and security agencies.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new building and construction work has been carried out or commissioned, at Menwith Hill station over the last six years; at what cost; to whom and what further work is planned over(a) the next year, (b) three years and (c) five years. [21845]

Mr. Soames

Over the past six years, there has been a variety of new building and construction work at RAF Menwith Hill including new radomes and operational structures as well as a range of social and domestic buildings including barrack accommodation and water towers. The total cost is a matter for the US authorities. Further planned development of the site will cover a new child development centre, an extension to the chapel, the erection of portable classrooms and extension of security fencing.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many US military personnel have started work at Menwith Hill station since 8 August 1995. [21847]

Mr. Soames

Since 8 August 1995, the overall manpower structure has not changed significantly.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what legal basis the US army occupies Menwith Hill station. [21849]

Mr. Soames

The basis on which the US army, along with other United States forces, is stationed in the UK is contained in the NATO status of forces agreement of 1951.