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5 Oct 2009 : Column 2324W—continued

Guided Weapons: Testing

Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average cost of a missile testing camp at Hebrides Range was in the five years (a) before and (b) after the implementation of his Department's long-term partnering agreement with Qinetiq. [291290]

Mr. Kevan Jones [holding answer 16 September 2009]: Information on the cost of missile trials at the Hebrides Range during the five years before the Long Term Partnering Agreement with QinetiQ was implemented in 2003, is no longer held centrally. Therefore, the average cost of a missile trial over that period could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Information on the cost of missile trials since 2003 is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average cost of a missile firing test taking place (a) in the Falklands Islands and (b) at the Hebrides Range was in the latest period for which figures are available. [291291]

Mr. Kevan Jones [holding answer 16 September 2009]: The MOD does not test missiles in the Falkland Islands.

Information on the cost of missile trials is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many missile tests took place at Hebrides Range in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010; and what missiles were tested in each test. [291294]

Mr. Kevan Jones [holding answer 16 September 2009]: Details of missile testing at the Hebrides Range during 2008 and 2009 to date are as follows:

	Missile details	Number of missile tests
2008	Rapier	5
	Sea Sparrow-conducted on behalf of Denmark	1
	Sea Dart	1
	HVM-High Velocity Missile	1
	AMRAAM-Advanced Medium Range Air-Air Missile	1
2009	Rapier	3
	Sea Dart	1
	BVRAAM-Beyond Visual Range Air-Air Missile	1
	Brimstone	1

In addition, a further trial was conducted at the Hebrides Range during 2009, but I am withholding the details as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Details of missile tests currently planned for the remainder of 2009 and 2010 are as follows:

	Missile Details	Number of Missile Tests
2009	Rapier	1
	BVRAAM-Beyond Visual Range Air-Air Missile	2
2010	AMRAAM-Advanced Medium Range Air-Air Missile	2
	ASRAAM-Advanced Short-Range Air-Air Missile	1
	Rapier	2
	Sea Viper	2
	Sea Dart	1
	BVRAAM-Beyond Visual Range Air-Air Missile	1

Met Office: Pay

Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ban the payment of bonuses to staff at the Met Office when the office makes incorrect long-term forecasts. [291276]

5 Oct 2009 : Column 2325W

Mr. Kevan Jones [holding answer 16 September 2009]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 September 2009, Official Report, column 2128W.

Nuclear Submarines

Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 2 April 2009, Official Report, column 1400W, to the hon. Member for Moray, on
5 Oct 2009 : Column 2326W
nuclear submarines, which nuclear submarines were involved in the three medium scale fires which occurred at a naval base; in which naval bases each such fire occurred; and when each such fire occurred. [290795]

Bill Rammell [holding answer 9 September 2009]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 16 September 2009, Official Report, columns 2222-23W.

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