Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Thursday, 3 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 May 2001. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Thursday, 10 May 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much has been spent in each year since 1990 on upgrading the communications monitoring bases at (a) Menwith Hall and (b) Fylingdales; and from what budget line the money has been drawn.

Answer: Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent in each year since 1990 on upgrading the communications monitoring bases at (a) Menwith Hill and (b) Fylingdales; and from what budget line the money has been drawn. [160711] Mr. Hoon: RAF Menwith Hill is an integral part of a worldwide communications network, which supports UK, US and NATO interests. Information on detailed operations at RAF Menwith Hill, including funding issues, is withheld under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information on the ground of national security. The primary function of RAF Fylingdales is to provide the UK and US with early warning of a ballistic missile launch. It is not a communications monitoring base. The last upgrade of the early warning facilities took place in the early 1990s when the old "golf balls", which had become obsolete and difficult to maintain, were replaced with a modern solid state phased array radar. The UK Government contributed a total of £48 million to the costs of this upgrade, from the headquarters Strike Command budget. A yearly breakdown of this figure does not exist.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 368 c251W; 160711
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Intelligence services Military bases RAF Menwith Hill Military intelligence RAF Fylingdales
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk