HC Deb 19 February 1969 vol 778 cc104-5W
71. Dame Joan Vickers

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in view of the increasing volume of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation sea-power and of Plymouth's special facilities for accommodating ships and its geographical position as a good base for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation sea exercises, if he will reconsider his decision to close the Western Command headquarters at Devonport.

Dr. David Owen

The changes in command structure which are planned at Devonport arise from the review of the home commands, first announced in the February 1967 Statement on Defence (Command 3203). They are designed to simplify the command and control organisation and to save staff. I can assure the hon. Member that they will in no way detract from the ability of the Plymouth area to provide the services that she has in mind.