HC Deb 09 June 1981 vol 6 c61W
Mr. Maclennan

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what proposals he has for siting aircraft designed to spot and control coastal pollution by oil; if he will consider locating aircraft for this purpose at Wick, Caithness; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eyre

My Department is presently negotiating with an aircraft operator with a view to establishing a national capacity for aerial spraying of oil pollution at sea later this year. No decisions have yet been reached on which bases will provide the best coverage on operational grounds, although I would expect to see aircraft bases somewhere in the North of Scotland.