§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the function of the mooring buoys located in Loch Linnhe, off Onich; who paid for their installation; who pays for their upkeep; and what use has been made of them in the past 10 years.
§ Mr. McLoughlinI have been asked to reply as these moorings are the responsibility of the Department of Transport. They form one of a number of sets of moorings maintained by the Department for emergency use. The cost of installation and maintenance is met by the Department. These moorings have not been required for emergency use over the past 10 years but have occasionally been hired out for short-term use by private barge operators.