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Proliferation in ParliamentBack to Proliferation in Parliament, September - November 2007 Westminster ParliamentKey to House of Commons Column Numbering
Missile DefenceRAF Menwith Hill: Manpower, Written Answers, 27 Nov 2007, Column 313WJon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK personnel are employed at RAF Menwith Hill, broken down by employer. Derek Twigg: As at 1 November 2007 the following UK personnel were employed at RAF Menwith Hill:
I am withholding the number of GCHQ employees in accordance with Government practice not to reveal numbers of personnel working in intelligence at specific locations. Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many US personnel are based at RAF Menwith Hill, broken down by employer. Derek Twigg: As at 1 November 2007 the following US personnel were employed at RAF Menwith Hill.
A further 222 US civilians are employed at RAF Menwith Hill by various US agencies in catering and services functions. A detailed breakdown is not available. Ballistic Missile Defence, Written Answers, 21 Nov 2007, Column 894WMr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold a public consultation on the US's use of Menwith Hill base as part of the US Missile Defense Programme; and if he will make a statement. Des Browne: The MOD published a consultation paper on 8 December 2002, "Missile Defence: A Public Discussion Paper", ahead of a full parliamentary debate on 15 January 2003 on the UK's involvement in the US ballistic missile defence system. The principles underpinning that debate have not changed, and we have no plans to hold a further public consultation on this issue. US Missile Defence, Foreign Affairs Oral Questions, 20 Nov 2007, Column 1094Danny Alexander (Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey) (LD): If he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the UK's involvement in the US missile defence system. Paul Holmes (Chesterfield) (LD): What his policy is on the UK's participation in the US missile defence system; and if he will make a statement. The Minister for Europe (Mr. Jim Murphy): The UK contributes to the US missile defence system through our operation of the radar at RAF Fylingdales, the data relay station at RAF Menwith Hill and our well-established technical co-operation programmes. 20 Nov 2007, Column 1095 Danny Alexander: In February, the then Prime Minister promised a debate in the House on the UK's involvement in the US missile defence system. However, the Secretary of State for Defence later turned down such a debate in a letter to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for North-East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell). Does the Minister agree that a full parliamentary debate will be necessary before the United Kingdom takes any further steps in support of yet another controversial, unilateral and highly dangerous United States policy? Mr. Murphy: There has been no official request from the USA; as the hon. Gentleman knows, such issues are for the usual channels. There is a genuine issue about how the international community, particularly Europe, deals with the potential threat to the UK and Europe from a rogue state firing a missile across Europe. That is why we have given our support to the proposals at the moment in respect of the capacity of the deployment in both Poland and the Czech Republic. That is an important part of the wider defence of both the United Kingdom and Europe and against the potential firing of a missile by a rogue state, and particularly from one in the middle east. Paul Holmes: Is the Minister aware that the programme has already cost the US more than $100 billion, yet its technology is unproven and does not work? The programme is designed to guard against an unforeseen future threat, yet it is destabilising Europe now. Is it not the most dangerous and expensive white elephant in history? How much will it cost British taxpayers? Mr. Murphy: With respect, I think that that is an absolutely ridiculous assessment of the situation. The fact is that there is the potential threat of a rogue state attacking Europe, in the future, by the use of such missiles. It would be irresponsible in the extreme if we were not to, yes, participate with the United States, yes, have discussions with Poland and the Czech Republic, and yes-and importantly-have them with our NATO allies and friends about how best to protect ourselves and our European neighbours from a potential attack from a rogue and dangerously evolving threat. Ballistic Missile Defence: Czech Republic, Written Answers, 13 Nov 2007, Column 229WMr. Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he held with his Czech counterpart on 8 November on the US deployment of national missile defense in Europe; and what conclusions were reached. The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the press briefing given by my spokesman on 8 November 2007. A transcript of this is available on the No. 10 website at: and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Ballistic Missile Defence, Written Answers, 24 Oct 2007, Column 331WJeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration on the stationing of interceptor missiles at USAF Lakenheath or other US bases in the UK; and if he will make a statement. 24 Oct 2007, Column 332W Des Browne: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 17 October 2007, Official Report, column 1116W, to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Mr. Willis). Ballistic Missile Defence, Written Answers, 22 Oct 2007, Column 8WMr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the United States Administration on options for United Kingdom involvement in the US National Missile Defense Programme; and whether the British Ambassador to the United States has played any part in such negotiations. Des Browne [holding answer 19 October 2007]: The Ministry of Defence continues to discuss ballistic missile defence issues with the US Administration, on a number of levels. It is not the practice of the Government to make public the details of all discussions with foreign governments as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice international relations. Ballistic Missile Defence: USA, Written Answers, 17 Oct 2007, Column 1115WMr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what discussions his Department has had with the US Administration on plans to develop missile silos and x-band radar on land or sea bases in the UK; 17 Oct 2007, Column 1116W (2) what discussions he and officials from his Department have had with the US Administration on plans to site interceptor missiles or related equipment in the UK. Des Browne [holding answer 16 October 2007]: The Ministry of Defence continues to discuss ballistic missile defence issues with the US Administration. It is not the practice of the Government to make public details of all discussions with foreign governments as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice international relations. As I set out in my statement of 25 July 2007, Official Report column 72WS, we have no plans to site missile interceptors in the UK. Ballistic Missile Defence, Written Answers, 16 Oct 2007, Column 937WChris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason no debate, consultation or oral statement took place in the House before the decision announced in his written statement of 25 July to allow the installation and operation by the US Administration of equipment to allow receipt of satellite warnings of potentially hostile missile launches at RAF Menwith Hill; and whether any intelligence received via the installation will be made available to the United Kingdom at the same time as to the United States. Des Browne: Defence Ministers routinely answer written and oral questions on missile defence issues and there are regular defence debates scheduled throughout the year to allow MPs to raise specific issues on the Floor of the House. My written ministerial statement of 25 July 2007, Official Report, column 71WS was intended to keep the House informed of developments in areas of UK support to the US missile defence programme. The missile attack warning information to be routed through RAF Menwith Hill will be shared between the UK and US, as indicated in my written statement of 25 July 2007. Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the UK and US governments on the formal use of RAF Menwith Hill in the American Missile Defense System; and if he will place a copy in the Library. Des Browne: There is no memorandum of understanding covering these specific arrangements. Ballistic Missile Defence, Written Answers, 12 Sep 2007, Column 2071WMr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from (a) hon. Members, (b) members of the public and (c) campaign organisations on his written ministerial statement of 25 July 2007, Official Report, columns 71-2WS, on ballistic missile defence. Des Browne: As of 10 September, I have received 10 letters from MPs (all but one of them forwarding correspondence from constituents), and 17 letters from members of the public (two of which were on behalf of Quaker meetings), relating to my written ministerial statement on ballistic missile defence. Ballistic Missile Defence, Written Answers, 3 Sep 2007, Column 1614WNorman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Space Based Infra Red System at RAF Menwith Hill will be in operation. Des Browne: On current plans, facilities at RAF Menwith Hill for routing satellite data will be ready for operation early in 2008. The operational date for the Space Based Infra Red System is a matter for the US. Back to Proliferation in Parliament, September - November 2007 © 2007 The Acronym Institute. |