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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Alasdair Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what type of projectiles have been (a) fired and (b) dropped at the Luce Bay (Torrs Warren) range in the last 12 months; and if the (i) firings and (ii) bombings were at hard targets. [135833] Mr. Spellar: During the last five years, a variety of stores, both inert and live, have been released and/or fired on the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) range at West Freugh which comprises the sea danger area of Luce Bay and the land target area of Torrs Warren. Bombs, rockets and missiles have been released over Luce Bay where most of the trials activities take place. Fixed and rotary wing machine guns of various calibres are also fired. Bombs are also released on the land target area and fixed and rotary wing machine guns of various calibres fired. Missiles are fired from the land out into the bay. Hard targets are normally perceived to be bunkers and vehicles such as tanks. There are no such targets at DERA West Freugh. There are, however, barges in the bay which are used for inert store releases and three large concrete areas on the land. Any live stores released on to either the concrete or the surrounding softer land are cleared by explosive ordnance demolition techniques as part of DERA's good housekeeping.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

355 c466W; 135833

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Ammunition Weapons Testing Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Firing ranges Luce Bay

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk