HL Deb 21 January 1969 vol 298 cc898-9

2.46 p.m.

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing on the Order Paper in the name of my noble friend Lord Selkirk.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering closing the R.N.A.S. "Condor" at Arbroath.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, R.A.F. (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)

My Lords, the future of H.M.S. "Condor", together with that of all other Naval Air Stations, is being considered in connection with the run-down of the Fleet Air Arm.

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, can the noble Lord say when he will be able to make an announcement on this matter?

LORD WINTERBOTTON

My Lords, the Government's decision on the future of the Fleet Air Arm stations will be published in the forthcoming Defence White Paper.

LORD KILMANY

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he will bear in mind that any decision to close down this station would cause deep disappointment in East Scotland? And can he give an assurance that Scottish opinion will be consulted, possibly in the person of the Secretary of State for Scotland, or, better still, in the person of the noble Lord, Lord Hughes, who knows all about that part of the world?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, the concern is shared by Her Majesty's Government; but, as the noble Lord knows, there are well-established procedures which are followed when a military station is closed, and those procedures will be followed in this particular case.

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, can the noble Lord give an indication, at any rate, that the Government appreciate how much it will mean to Arbroath if this station is closed down? If, as seems to be the case, this station is to be transferred to Lee-on-Solent, will he recognise that the loss of this station would make much more difference to Arbroath than its gain would make to Lee-on-Solent?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I am aware of the noble Lord's concern, and of the concern felt in Scotland as a whole, about this decision, which will have to be made in the near future.

VISCOUNT STONEHAVEN

My Lords, in view of the great concern felt in that part of the world, from which I come, if I were to write the noble Lord a letter setting out various points, would he read it?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, most certainly.