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Ministry of Defence;Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

Answer

Dr. Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how many days in each of the last five years the ranges at (a) Eskmeals and (b) Shoeburyness have been used for testing purposes. [10154] Mr. Arbuthnot: This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from John Chisholm to Dr. John Cunningham, dated 14 January 1997: I have been asked to reply to your question about the number of days in each of the last five years the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) ranges at Shoeburyness and Eskmeals have been used for testing, since as Chief Executive of DERA this is a matter for which I am responsible. The ranges at both Eskmeals and Shoeburyness have been in continuous use for testing purposes over the last five years. Each has a number of firing points or batteries and other test facilities and trials typically involve several days of preparation. The number of days in which firing took place somewhere on the ranges is as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Days Eskmeals 1992 237 1993 241 1994 206 1995 215 1996 228 Shoeburyness 1992 240 1993 243 1994 245 1995 246 1996 225 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

10154; 288 c229W;288 c230W

Session

1996-97

Subjects

Defence Weapons Testing Government research establishments Firing ranges Shoeburyness Eskmeals

Contains statistics

Yes