§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the Tipnor shooting ranges in Portsmouth; and if he will make a statement. [36302]
§ Mr. IngramIn November 1998, against a background of the Strategic Defence Review, the Navy Board directed the chief executive of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency (NRTA) to study the size and shape of the future training estate and to make recommendations for improvement given the lower trainee throughput that is expected in 2010–15. The consequent review was in advance of, and is informing, the current tri-Service Defence Training Review (DTR).
In July 2001 I announced proposed changes in the naval training estate. All naval training estate is now being considered in detail and this includes the Tipner firing range at Portsmouth. While alternative options are being studied, no decision has yet been made on the future of these ranges. Due account will be taken of proposed local transport improvement schemes and other local environmental issues before any decision is reached.