"Options for Change" (Hansard, 19 March 1991)

§ 13. Mr. Ian Bruce
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications for south Dorset of the "Options for Change" review.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
We are examining the scope for rationalising a wide range of defence support activities. No decisions affecting south Dorset have yet been taken.

§ Mr. Bruce
I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Does he agree that the armed forces are masters of the diversionary tactic? Does he agree that when Ministers ask for reductions, they are offered relocations and collocations? Will he consider all the jobs in south Dorset and realise that he is being conned? If he wants reductions, he should examine the parts of the armed forces where reductions are needed rather than the parts that he has already decided that he intends to keep. Is he aware that the cost of moving some parts to other areas will be enormous?

§ Mr. Hamilton
We are looking at a wide range of defence real estate across the country. It is true that in south Dorset there are significant amounts of defence estate. We must consider that in common with everything else. I repeat that no decisions have yet been taken. [Interruption.]

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. Will the hon. and learned Member for Perth and Kinross (Sir N. Fairbairn) come into the Chamber so that we can perhaps get on with Question Time?

Mr. O'Neill
When considering the implications for south Dorset, will the Minister of State also remember that there are other naval bases as well as that at Portland, which seems to be the subject of consideration under the "Options for Change" process? Does he agree that it is desirable to conduct the process openly, rather than its being the subject of rumours and leaks which cause unnecessary anxiety to the communities involved? Will he include Rosyth with Portland when he says that no decisions have been taken and no conclusions reached on closures?

§ Mr. Hamilton
That is why, when people came to see me about Rosyth, I assured them that we were considering all the naval bases and naval support across the board. That confirms what I have been saying to people who are 156 worried about Rosyth. There is no singling out of Rosyth. We are considering naval support across the board. [Interruption.]

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I ask hon. Members to listen to the last few minutes of Defence Questions.