HARROGATE BOROUGH COUNCIL
P. M. WALSH LL.B. Legal Assoc. R.T.P.I.
Sollcilor CHIEF EXECUTIVE

COUNCIL OFFICES CRESCENT GARDENS
HARROGATE HG12SG

Tel:  01423 500600 Fax 01423 556010
Minicom: 01423 556543  www.harrogate.gov.uk

Our Ref: CE/JMW            Please ask for: Chief Executive         Date: 10th May, 2001
Ext: 6287

Dear Prime Minister,

I am taking the unusual step of writing direct to you on behalf of the majority Liberal Democrat Group and our Labour Councillor.

We are aware of a national debate about the so called "Son of Star Wars". We are also aware of the developing local concern about the proposal to use the Menwith Hill Base as part of an American radar defence shield.

This Council has always taken a very supportive line towards Menwith Hill. We have always co-operated with the Base and we have enjoyed very good and effective relations with them, and we would like to continue in the same positive vein.

Nonetheless, we have no information about the consequences of any change to the role of Menwith Hill and we believe that we are not in any position to represent this community without more information.

There has been an implication raised in some quarters that the Council, as Planning Authority, has considerable control over what happens at Menwith Hill. That is simply not true. While we might object to proposals, they are essentially matters for the Government because the defence of the Realm is effectively outside planning control.

We are aware of the article in the "Observer", but we are in no position to respond to any local request for information which asks, for example, whether incoming missiles might be shot down in this part of the world, thereby distributing radioactive wreckage across this part of Yorkshire, as envisaged in that "Observer" article.

More to the point, there is a concern that the use of Menwith Hill for this purpose might actually establish Menwith Hill itself as a terrorist target, thus putting this community at far greater risk of terrorist activity than could otherwise reasonably be expected. We do not know whether this is a potential outcome, since we do not know how far the American plan might protect against any such action.

We would also point out that if the Base became the national focus of protest (for example, as at Greenham Common), there would be significant consequences for local government in this area.

This Council has a duty to represent this community and we are concerned that nobody is offering to discuss this with us in any meaningful way. We accept that the defence of the Realm issues may need to be confidential, but we need sufficient information to debate this issue and take a view.

It is unfortunate that up to now we have had to conduct the debate in the media so we would like to begin a rational and reasonably transparent debate about these issues.

Finally, we do not believe that it is helpful for Leaders of Political Parties of any colour to engage in a debate about the merits of the American proposal without taking into account the real concerns of the communities most affected.

The Conservative Group does not agree with all of these points but does wish to support the request made by their colleagues for "more information as soon as possible so that the real concerns of the communities most affected are taken into account through early consultation".

Yours sincerely

P.M. Walsh

Chief Executive

The Rt. Hon. Tony Blair, M.P.
The Prime Minister,
10 Downing Street,
London.
SW1A 2AA

Copies: The Rt. Hon. William Hague, M.P.
The Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy, M.P.
The Rt. Hon. David Curry, M.P.
Miss Anne Mcintosh, M.P.
Phil Willis, Esq., M.P.
Chief Executive, North Yorkshire County Council
Squadron Leader H. Vincent, R.A.F.
Colonel Christine T. Marsh, U.S. Army
Ms L. McAvan, M.E.P.
D. Bowe, Esq.. M.E.P.
R. Corbett, Esq. M.E.P.
R. Goodwill, Esq., M.E.P.
T. Kirkhope, Esq., M.E.P.
E. McMillan-Scott. Esq., M.E.P.
Ms D. P. Wallis. M.E.P.