§ Mr. AlexanderTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of Royal Air Force bases in Germany.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonFollowing my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 25 July on "Options for Change", we have reviewed RAF basing requirements in Germany in the light of our commitments to NATO and of local, economic and environmental factors. After consultations with our allies, and in particular the German Government, we have decided to redeploy units from RAF Wildenrath during 1991–92 and from RAF Gutersloh subsequently. Flying activity will reduce progressively from 1991. We are now considering, in consultation with the German authorities, the future of these bases after RAF operations cease.