HC Deb 05 December 2002 vol 395 cc930-1W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what legal advice has been given(a) in each environmental impact assessment prepared in relation to the Sonar 2087 project and (b) in the independent legal review conducted into the global environmental impact assessment prepared in relation to the Sonar 2087 project; and if he will make a statement. [85355]

Dr. Moonie

The global Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted in 2000 was the first EIA of Sonar 2087. It was carried out as part of the Assessment Phase of that project. It took account of legal advice provided by a lawyer who is an internationally recognised authority on the Law of the Sea. We also commissioned an independent review of the EIA, the legal aspects of which were conducted by a second distinguished independent legal authority. Both processes concluded that the intended operation of S2087 will comply with the relevant legislation at national, European and international level.

To date, as part of the demonstration work, a single sea trial of S2087 using prototype equipment has taken place in the Bay of Biscay. The EIA for this trial recommended procedures specific to the area and concluded that these would meet the duties and obligations highlighted in the applicable environmental laws and policies.

In accordance with Ministry of Defence policy we plan to keep legal and environmental aspects of the programme under review.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on the Sonar 2087 project; and if he will make a statement. [85356]

Dr. Moonie

Some £100 million has been spent on this project up to the end of November, covering the Assessment Phase and the Demonstration, Manufacture and Support Phase to that date.

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