§ Baroness Williams of Crosbyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have now agreed to the designation of Menwith Hill as the European ground relay station for the space based infra-red system (SBIRS) as part of the ballistic missile defence system [HL1590]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)We have received no request for the use of RAF Menwith Hill in the context of the proposed US national missile defence system.
Her Majesty's Government granted permission in March 1997 for the European relay ground station of the US-based infra-red system (SBIRS) to be sited at RAF Menwith Hill. SBIRS is regarded as necessary irrespective of any decision the US may take on deployment of a national missile defence system.