§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conclusions were reached by the study produced in 1993 on moving the NATO small arms test centre in respect of the Eskmeals range; and if he will place a copy of that study in the Library. [28040]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 9 February 1998]: The decision to move the small arms test centre from Cold Meece to Pendine was taken when the ranges were part of the Directorate of Proof and Experimental Establishments. Records of meetings held during July 1992 indicate that a working group considered three options for the relocation: to Pendine, to Shoeburyness, or to split the centre between Pendine and Shoeburyness. For strategic reasons, Pendine was chosen as the small arms test centre in January 1993. No consideration appears to have been given to the possibility of moving the centre to the Eskmeals range. Subsequently, the DGT&E Land Systems Asset Study was published, D/DTE (Land)9/24 dated 23 March 1993, which discusses two possibilities for the facility: Kirkcudbright and Shoeburyness. Both Eskmeals and Pendine were recommended for closure in this report. The report was, at the time, deemed to contain confidential information; I have asked for it to be reviewed to determine whether it can be placed in the Library of the House.