Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 October 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Monday, 23 October 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the security implications for Marchwood Military Port of the siting of a container port and access roads thereto in its close vicinity.

Answer: Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security implications for Marchwood Military Port of the siting of a container port and access roads thereto in its close vicinity. [133808] Mr. Spellar: The Ministry of Defence would have no objection in principle to any such development and indeed could see some operational advantages to the construction of such a container port. However, any such development would have to take careful account of the special requirements that would be associated with the construction of a civilian facility adjacent to a strategic military asset. In particular, we would need to review carefully the impact of security at the port, together with associated access and safety issues. If any such development were to be taken forward, the MOD would need to be involved at the earliest opportunity to ensure that the capability of this important military facility was not compromised. Necessarily, this would demand that the MOD's requirements were addressed fully within the planning process.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 133808; 355 c39W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Construction Planning permission Ports Security Marchwood Military Port
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk