§ 36. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the United States nuclear Polaris base in Holy Loch.
§ Mr. MartenWas that letter from his Under-Secretary of State who has been campaigning against the Polaris Holy Loch base for many years? As it is now the Government's intention to be in favour of this base, would the hon. Lady 379 withdraw her original campaign? Could the Secretary of State persuade her to make a statement making her position quite clear?
§ Mr. RossI can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have implicit confidence in the ability and integrity of my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland. The hon. Gentleman asked me if I had received any representations. I said that I had received one letter. It was from a resident at Sandbank. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I receive far more representations from Ayrshire about his activities in relation to Prestwick and Scottish aviation—in respect of S.A.S.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanHas my right hon. Friend received any representation from the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) proposing that the Polaris base should be transferred from Holy Loch to Banbury?
§ Sir Ian Orr-EwingWould the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that when I was at the Admiralty and we were setting up these bases at the Holy Loch we received very staunch and loyal support from the local Member, the hon. Member for Dunbartonshire, West (Mr. Steele), and considerable opposition from the hon. Lady the Member for Lanark (Mrs. Hart)? Is this really putting the right people into the right jobs?
§ Mr. RossI can assure the hon. Gentleman that we have had no complaints at all from Scotland. Indeed, we have had a compliment from Scotland for having in this particular case put the right person into the right job.