§ Mr. Stanley Newensasked the Secretary of State for Defence what purpose is now being served by maintenance of garrisons at Salala and Masirah.
§ Mr. MasonThe RAF detachment at Salalah helps to operate the airfield there. The detachment will be withdrawn on 31st March 1977 after handing over its tasks to the Omani authorities.
The personnel at Masirah run the staging facilities and the airfield there. Following the completion of the rundown in the Far East, the establishment of RAF 349W Masirah has been reduced. We shall no longer require a staging post at Masirah, and accordingly we have agreed with the Sultan of Oman that RAF Masirah will close on 31st March 1977.