§ Miss Maynardasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the operations and expenditure undertaken by his Department at Mellen Charles, Loch Ewe, Wester Ross; what is the purpose of the installation and operation being undertaken on the loch; what is the number of staff employed; what was the last time any operational use was made of this installation; what use is made of the facilities by naval personnel for holiday or vacational use; and what was the cost of making the accommodation acceptable for holiday and leisure activities.
§ Mr. WigginI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Royal Navy establishment at Mellon Charles, Aultbea, Loch Ewe. It is regularly used by the Royal Marines and also by the Army as a base for resource and initiative training. The only maintenance carried out is the minimum required to keep a number of huts wind and weatherproof. No staff are employed at the camp; personnel using the facilities for training purposes do so on a strict self-help basis. Six caravans are located at Aultbea for holiday use by Royal Navy personnel. These caravans were purchased, and are maintained, from nonpublic funds.