§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why, at the time of heightened tension, the Ministry of Defence is downgrading security at its munitions factories. [HL1114]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)The Ministry of Defence is in consultation with the Defence Police Federation about the withdrawal of MoD Police (MDP) personnel from Shoeburyness, West Freugh and Pendine, which are testing and evaluation ranges managed on behalf of MoD by QinetiQ plc, not munitions factories. The MoD is not downgrading security at these ranges; the management of them, including security, has passed from MoD to QinetiQ, which is following the normal rules in place for commercial companies holding defence contracts.
As a commercial company, QinetiQ is required to follow Cabinet Office regulations that are applicable to any company processing work for MoD and other government departments. QinetiQ has formed an internal guard force and, in conjunction with the local constabulary, will provide and maintain robust security arrangements at all its sites.