To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the effect on employment of the decision by QinetiQ to relocate operations from the Hebrides Range to Aberporth Range. (282596)

The Hebrides and Aberporth Ranges are owned by the MOD and operated on its behalf by QinetiQ. The MOD proposes to relocate only trials control from the Hebrides Ranges to the Aberporth Ranges. Current levels of trials and training activity at the Hebrides Range are expected to remain broadly unchanged. Under the proposals up to 125 jobs would be lost at the Hebrides Ranges and up to 20 at the Aberporth Ranges.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make an assessment of the effects on the (a) economy and (b) society of the Western Isles of QinetiQ’s decision to relocate operations from the Hebrides Range to Aberporth Range. (282597)

The consultation documentation on the proposed changes involving the Hebrides and Aberporth Ranges, issued on 17 June 2009, contains Regional Socio-Economic reports on both the Western Isles and Ceredigion. It also contains a survey of the Regional Impact on Employment of the proposed changes to activities at Hebrides Ranges. This estimates that, in addition to the 125 direct job losses at the Range itself, there could be about 40 further induced or indirect job losses in the wider economy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department consulted (a) community representatives, (b) representatives of QinetiQ employees, (c) local enterprise agencies and (d) Comhairle nan Eilean Siar before QinetiQ’s decision to relocate operations from the Hebrides Range to Aberporth Range. (282598)

The MOD wrote to all major stakeholders for both the Aberporth and Hebrides Ranges in July 2007 outlining the study into the future of the ranges and the possible implications for the sites and workforce. Further letters were sent in June 2009 outlining the proposals and entering into a formal period of consultation which will conclude in August 2009.

A meeting has been held at ministerial level with the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar. Offers were made to meet with the chief executive of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and other representatives. MOD officials have also met with the National Trust for Scotland and other parties with an interest in the island of St. Kilda on a number of occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has had discussions with the Scottish Government on QinetiQ’s decision to relocate its operations from the Hebrides Range to Aberporth Range. (282599)

The MOD wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP, at the beginning of the study into the future of the Hebrides and Aberporth Ranges in July 2007 and to Minister for Europe, External affairs and Culture, Michael Russell MSP, in June 2009 on completion of the study to inform him of the decision in principle. There has also been informal contact at official level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Hebrides Range is used for weapons testing by countries other than the UK. (282600)

Since the beginning of the Long Term Partnering Arrangement in 2003, under which QinetiQ operates a number of key test and evaluation facilities on behalf of the MOD, the following countries have used the MOD Hebrides Range for weapons testing and military training:

USA in 2003-04

Switzerland in 2005 (also scheduled to use the Range in 2010)

Germany in 2004-05 (also scheduled to use the Range in 2010)

Denmark in 2005 and 2007

Italy in 2003 (support role)

Netherlands in 2008 (Marines)

Sweden in 2007 and 2009.

NATO also uses the range annually.