§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what defence role in the security of the United Kingdom is played by(a) Menwith Hill and (b) Fylingdales; and if he will make a statement. [7173]
§ Mr. IngramRAF Menwith Hill is an integral part of the world-wide US Department of Defence communications network, which supports UK, US and NATO interests. RAF Menwith Hill is also the site for the European Relay Ground Station, which is part of the US Space Based Infra-Red System (SBIRS). SBIRS will be a world-wide satellite based system designed to provide early warning of ballistic missile launch. It will replace the ageing US Defence Support Programme (DSP) satellite system, which has for some years contributed to the security of the UK and NATO. Information on detailed operations at the base is withheld under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
RAF Fylingdales provides the UK with early warning of ballistic missile attack against the UK and Western Europe, and the US with early warning for North America.