§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the dimensions of the Sea Danger Area around the Eskmeals DERA test range; [27266]
(2) what are the dimensions of the Sea Danger Area around (a) Pendine and (b) Aberporth; [27260]
(3) what are the dimensions and total acreage of the Eskmeals range operated by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. [27264]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 February 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
193WLetter from John Chisholm to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 10 February 1998:
I have been asked to reply to your questions about the dimensions of the sea danger areas around the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's ranges at Eskmeals, Pendine and Aberporth, and the dimensions and total acreage of the Eskmeals range. I am answering all three questions in this letter.The current sea danger area at Eskmeals extends to a maximum of approximately 49 kilometres with an area of 1038 square kilometres. It is intended to extend this danger area in the near future. The danger area has a height of 50,000 feet.Pendine has a sea danger area that extends to a maximum of approximately 18 kilometres with a total area of 230 square kilometres. The danger area has a height of 27,000 feet.Aberporth has a sea danger area that extends to a maximum of approximately 105 kilometres by 88 kilometres with a total area of 8074 square kilometres. The range has unlimited height.The Eskmeals range has a maximum length of approximately 3.5 kilometres and a maximum width of approximately 1.5 kilometres. The total land area, excluding foreshore, is 1604 acres. The range has firing rights over land for rear safety of an additional 500 metres in width.I hope this information is helpful.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many complaints about noise pollution from the Eskmeals test range have been received in each of the last five years and this year to date; [27267]
(2) how many complaints about noise pollution have been received concerning (a) Pendine and (b) Aberporth ranges in each of the last five years. [27259]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 February 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 10 February 1998:
I have been asked to reply to your questions about the number of complaints about noise pollution received at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's ranges at Eskmeals, Aberporth and Pendine. I am replying to both questions in this letter.The number of complaints about noise pollution received in each of the last five years are as follows
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 Eskmeals 0 1 3 0 2 Pendine 9 23 20 25 20 Aberporth 2 0 1 0 0
There have been no complaints about noise pollution at the Eskmeals ranges during the current year to date.I hope this information is helpful.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what test, evaluation and research work is currently carried out at the Eskmeals DERA test range; [27265]
(2) what was the annual income for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and its predecessor from the depleted uranium facility at Eskmeals in each of the last five years; and what is the projected income for the current year and each of the next five years. [27262]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 February 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
194WLetter from John Chisholm to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 10 February 1998:
I have been asked to reply to your questions about the work carried out at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's (DERA) range at Eskmeals; and the annual income from the depleted uranium facility at Eskmeals over the last five years and projected income for the current year and the next five years.The range at Eskmeals carries out test and evaluation work in support of MOD projects and commercial programmes for a wide range of systems including:
- Proof of
- Ordnance
- Ammunition
- Explosives
- Gun components Fuses
- Armour and armour systems
- Trials of
- Long range ballistics
- Gun components
- Ammunition
- Attack of armour systems
- Demolition and disposal
- Clearance trials for aircraft
- Ordnance
- Complete gun systems
- Free flight rockets
- Armour research and development
- Ship sea trials.
The income for the DU firing facility at Eskmeals since 1995 is given below:
Year £000 1995–96 700 1996–97 615 1997–98 623
Information on a comparable basis prior to the inclusion of Eskmeals in the Trading Agency in 1995 is not available. Future income will depend on the requirements of the Ministry of Defence for the facility but an income of approximately £600k is expected for 1998–99.I hope this information is helpful.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of the State for Defence what was the total(a) income and (b) costs for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency ranges at (i) Pendine, (ii) Eskmeals and (iii) Shoeburyness in each of the last five years. [27366]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 4 February 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 10 February 1998:
I have been asked to reply to your question about the income and costs of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's ranges at Pendine, Eskmeals and Shoeburyness in each of the last five years.195WThe income and costs of the three ranges since 1995–96 is given below. Information on a comparable basis prior to the inclusion of the ranges in the Trading Agency is not available.
1995–96 £k 1996–97 £k 1997–98 £k (forecast) Pendine Income 4,092 8,075 5,360 Costs 6,274 7,050 6,741 Eskmeals Income 5,365 5,180 8,101 Costs 8,450 8,537 8,210 Shoeburyness Income 25,603 17,886 22,247 Costs 26,108 21,105 20,012
The Ministry of Defence has provided £8.7 million in strategic pricing to land ranges at Shoeburyness for 1997/98.I hope this information is helpful.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the merger of the management and administration of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency land, sea and air ranges will take place. [27695]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 5 February 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 10 February 1998:
I have been asked to reply to your question about the merger of the management and administration of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's (DERA) land, sea and air ranges.The management and administration of DERA's land, sea and air ranges were merged into a single sector within the Agency on 1 April 1997. There will be a further realignment of senior management responsibilities within the ranges on 1 April 1998.I hope this information is helpful.