Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of expanding the capability of the military firing range at Fingringhoe, Colchester Garrison to accommodate the training requirements to be transferred there from the firing range at Middlewick, Colchester as a result of the closure of that training facility; and if he will make a statement.

The expansion of the military firing range capability at Fingringhoe Ranges, Colchester Garrison will sustain the same range capability that is currently provided by both Fingringhoe and Middlewick. All work at Fingringhoe will be completed prior to the closure of Middlewick.

I am withholding the information in relation to the cost of the development as any disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.