MENWITH Hill has been much in the news again of late, especially because of its imminent new "Star Wars" role, raising a number, of issues. Reporter DECLAN MULKEEN put a series of questions addressing some of these issues to the British commander at Menwith Hill, Sqn Ldr Humphrey Vincent.

Q: What does Menwith Hill actually do and why was it chosen as a site for intelligence gathering?

A: RAF Mnwith Hill is a communications facility, part of a worldwide defence communications network maintained by the US Department of Defence serving UK and NATO as well as US interests.

It is also the site for the European Ground Relay Station (RGS-E) of the US Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS). As I am sure you will be aware it is long standing policy not to comment on the details of the base's operations nor on speculation regarding alleged intelligence activities.

Q: What is the long-term plan for the base?

A: The base has a long-term future.

Q: How significant do you feel is the base's contribution to both environmental and social aspects of the surrounding area?

What sort of investment does the base bring to the local community in Nidderdale and Harrogate?

A: Menwith Hill has been a part of the local community for 40 years and contributes approximately £62m to the local economy each year. The Base impacts on the local economy and community in a number of ways, for example:

• Over 1,000 of our families live in locally rented accommodation.
• Each year hundreds of personnel visit the base for periods of temporary duty and provide much revenue to the local area.
• Several small local schools are heavily populated by the children from Menwith Hill families, thus contributing to their continuing viability.
• The presence of MOD Police Vehicle patrolling around the base enhances Crime Prevention across our neighbouring villages.
• Our population is fully participant in the local community, for example, the Menwith Hill Women's Club (US version of Women's Institute) recently donated £18,000 to local community causes.

Q: Does the presence of the base increase the threat in the event of war, what protection would the base offer?

A: The station is considered to be of the highest importance to this county's defence strategy. Its presence is not considered to create any more of a threat in time of war to the local community than any other operational military installation.

Q: How many British staff do you employ and in what sectors? How many are employed from this area. How many Americans work at the base?

A: As at April 26, 2000, at Menwith Hill there were 415 US miltary, 989 US civilians, 5 UK military and 300 Ministry of Defence civilian personnel. The number of GCHQ (Government Communications HeadQuarters) staff is witheld under exemption one of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. British personnel are present at every level of the station and are aware of all facets of the station's operations.

Q: Menwith Hill Is a distinctive landmark. Do you feel it is to the detriment of an area edging on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)? What planning process does construction work at the base go through and do the public have a right of reply?

A: Whilst it may be true that Menwith Hill is not an attractive sight to some, the fact is that the base is not within the AONB. Indeed, mostly located on the Southern reverse slope of a hill on the boundary to the AONB, it is true to say that the station has very little visible impact when viewed from most locations within Nidderdale.

In common with all sites within the defence estate, Menwith Hill is required to undergo the necessary processes for obtaining planning consent from the Local Authority. A close relationship is maintained with the Local Planning Officer, who is a regular visitor to the station. Moreover, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, and local Councillors, have attended the base for consultations regularly.

It is MOD policy to work closely with Local Planning Committees and to comply with local requirements and constaints wherever possible.

Q: How does the British Government benefit from the partnership with the Americans?

A: The presence of the US Visiting Forces in the UK forms an important part of the continuing US commitment to NATO and the security of Europe.

Q: What does your work actually entail?

A: While HMG endevours to be as open as possible, when it comes to matters relating to national security a line has to be drawn. Therefore there are some activities at RAF Menwith Hill that are not open for discussion.

However, I can say that the base is regarded by the government as being of the highest importance to the UK's defence and security.

Q: What other agencies utilise the base?

A: All US employees, other than those associated with civilian defence contractors, are employed under the auspices of the US Department of Defence.

Q: What is SBIRS exactly and what does Menwith Hill have to do with the new system? Has the UK Government agreed to the base becoming a ground based relay station for the new technology?

A: The UK Government has given permission for the establishment of the European Relay Ground Station (RGS-E) for the US Space Based Infra-Red System (SBIRS) that is under construction at RAF Menwith Hill in order to capatalise on existing infrastructure.

The satellite based system has been developed to detect the launch of ballistic missiles. SBIRS is a completely passive system designed to replace an existing, but ageing, early warning satellite constellation called the Defence Support Programme that has served the US, UK and NATO since the early 1970s.

Q: When SBIRS does go ahead, will it mean more security around the base and will the base expand further?

A: There are no plans at present to extend the security measures currently in place.

Q: Does the base currently operate under UK or US law? Who is the base accountable to?

A: Menwith Hill is required to fully comply with UK Law. Oversight is maintained by the integration of UK personnel at every level of the station and the base is subject to the scrutiny of the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee - five Members of Parliament from the Committee visited the base earlier this year.

Q: Does Menwith Hill play any part in industrial espionage against companies in other countries and the UK?

A: Allegations that Menwith Hill intercepts the telephones of British citizens or companies have no basis in fact and the allegation that the station is used for US commercial advantage over British interests is also false.

In summation, no activities detrimental to the interests of the UK and its citizens has been, or would be allowed to take place at the base.

Q: Why is the base called RAF Menwith Hill when critics argue that the Americans are firmly in control and that there are few RAF personal working at the base?

A: All US Visiting Forces organizations are hosted by the Ministry of Defence under the auspices of the RAF. The RAF Commander at RAF Menwith Hill as the senior MOD representitive, acts as the Commanding Officer for the MOD civilian workforce, is responsible for the general oversight of the base, for initial handlng of host nation issues, and if necesssary for seeking advice from his chain of command, or policy officials, on any non-routine topics that may arise.

declan.mulkeen@rim.co.uk