§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is responsible for determining, and what criteria govern, whether the United Kingdom Government renews the United States security of tenure at Menwith Hill station. [17381]
§ Mr. SoamesThe Secretary of State for Defence retains the Crown freehold of RAF Menwith Hill and the site has been made available to United States authorities by Her Majesty's Government under arrangements that exist for our mutual defence. Though it is not our practice to comment on the precise details of such arrangements, I can say that there are no plans, nor is there any requirement, to renew the arrangements at RAF Menwith Hill.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom bases, occupied by United States forces in the United Kingdom, are due to have their leases or security of tenure agreements renewed(a) in 1997, (b) in the next five years and (c) in the next 10 years; and if he will name them. [17424]
§ Mr. SoamesNone.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the legal status of the United States security of tenure relating to the Menwith Hill station; and if he will make a statement. [17420]
119W
§ Mr. SoamesRAF Menwith Hill is made available for the use of US forces in accordance with the NATO status of forces agreement of 1951 and other administrative agreements which are confidential between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. This includes the security of tenure arrangement which applies solely to RAF Menwith Hill.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the changes of administration at Menwith Hill station since 1967. [17439]
§ Mr. SoamesThere has been one change in administration at RAF Menwith Hill since 1967. Executive management of RAF Menwith Hill was assumed by the US Army on 8 August 1995.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the new radomes recently built for the United Sates Air Force at RAF Feltwell, Norfolk, cost; who paid for them; what are the US Air Force's proposals in respect of a new near-space facility within this compound; and if he will make a statement. [17425]
§ Mr. SoamesThe near space tracking facility at RAF Feltwell became operational on 30 September 1966. There are currently no plans for further expansion. The US authorities are responsible for funding infrastructure costs at the site and as such questions concerning the facility are a matter for them.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many security of tenure or lease agreements have been made with the United States Government relating to bases in the United Kingdom since 1967. [17419]
§ Mr. SoamesNone. Bases are made available to the United States authorities by Her Majesty's Government under arrangements that exist for our mutual defence.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the US Navy will withdraw from RAF Edzell; and what alternative role and function the base will assume. [17422]
§ Mr. SoamesThe US Navy will withdraw from RAF Edzell by summer of 1997. It is expected that the site will be offered for sale on the open market. My Department has recently appointed property agents to prepare a disposal and marketing strategy as the base has a wide range of possible alternative uses. It is therefore not known at present what alternative role and function the base will assume.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those security of tenure or lease agreements made with the United States Government relating to bases in the United Kingdom which are currently in force. [17389]
§ Mr. SoamesThere is one security of tenure agreement applicable solely to RAF Menwith Hill. No leases have ever been granted to the US authorities.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which US Department of Defence agency employs the base commander at Menwith Hill station. [17440]
§ Mr. SoamesThe base commander at RAF Menwith Hill is employed by the United States Army.