§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make it his policy to order a full environmental impact study prior to the Fylingdales base accepting United States missile defence technology; and if he will make a statement; [137899]
(2) what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of the base at Fylingdales on the environment of the local area; and if he will make a statement. [137916]
§ Mr. IngramIt is already the Ministry of Defence policy to carry out environmental impact assessments of all new projects and training activities. To this end, the MOD commissioned some time ago from independent consultants an Environmental and Land Use Report on the planned upgrade of the RAF Fylingdales radar for missile defence purposes. This report was passed to the local planning authorities in June 2003 and can be accessed on the MOD website. It confirms our view that nothing in the package of work involves an environmental impact or change of use, and that radar emissions are well within health guidelines. Nevertheless, in order to reassure the public, monitoring of the radar emissions will continue and the data made available publicly. Separately, an epidemiological study is being undertaken by the local NHS Primary Care Trust to determine if there is any evidence of increased rates of disease in the area which might warrant further investigation.