HC Deb 06 March 1978 vol 945 cc536-7W
Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what procedures are laid down by his Department to enable him to ascertain local opinion and consider local conditions before agreeing to any formal request by the United States or any other NATO ally to reactivate any base in the United Kingdom or to change the status of that base;

(2) what procedures are laid down by his Department for proper consultation with other Government Departments and with local authorities to ascertain their views before agreeing to any request by the United States or any other NATO ally to reactivate any base in the United Kingdom or to change the status of that base.

Mr. Wellbeloved

The need for consultation with local authorities—and, if necessary, between Departments—and the procedures to be followed in connection with proposals affecting Service establishments in the United Kingdom, including those used by United States forces, are governed by the terms of DOE Circular 7/77—-Welsh Office Circular 5/77—of 14th February 1977. Similar procedures are followed in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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