§ Mr. Buckasked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has now had, and is now having, with NATO allies and other nations likely to be affected by the proposed cuts in defence expenditure.
§ Mr. MasonI cannot yet add to what I told the House in the defence debate on 16th December 1974. The consultations with our allies are still in progress and are expected to be completed later this month.
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 ROYAL AIR FORCE STATIONS Home Acklington … … … … 19 27 11 23 22 Brawdy … … … … — — — — 52 Chivenor … … … … 100 107 90 104 111 Coltishall … … … … 46 39 27 36 50 Leconfield … … … … 56 59 58 50 52 Leuchars … … … … 52 40 44 41 45 Lossiemouth … … … … — — 9 37 86 Manston … … … … — — — — 29 Thorney Island … … … 91 113 107 4 — Valley … … … … … 72 89 100 79 74 Other United Kingdom stations … — — 9 3 12 Overseas Akrotiri … … … … 14 9 5 2 1 Bahrein … … … … 3 1 — — — Sharjah … … … … 3 — — — — Singapore … … … … 4 3 — — — Total Royal Air Force … 460 487 460 379 534 ROYAL NAVAL AIR STATIONS Culdrose … … … … Not available — 51 61 73 Lee-on-Solent … … … 38 — 109 128 Portland … … … … — 11 10 31 Prestwick … … … … — 9 7 12 Other Units … … … … — 2 5 5 Total Royal Navy … … 38 73 192 249
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many vessels and aircraft are available for air-sea rescue work, civilian and military; and where they are situated.
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§ Mr. Buckasked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with representatives of shipbuilding firms likely to be affected by the proposed cuts in defence expenditure.
§ Mr. JuddMy Department has continuing discussions with the main warship building firms on the naval new construction programme and these consultations at present embrace the defence review. We are also in touch with those other major shipbuilding firms which build ships for the Royal Navy.