§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the result of the consultation process concerning Milford Haven Royal Navy armaments depot.
§ Mr. FreemanAfter careful consideration of all the arguments put forward by the trades unions, local authorities and other interested parties for the retention of the depot, I have decided that for overwhelming economic and operational reasons RNAD Milford Haven will close. The depot will be converted to a non-explosive storage facility by March 1990 and closed finally by March 1991, before which the site will be cleared of ordnance.
415WAs I informed my hon. Friend during the debate on 28 July 1988, consideration of the removal and demolition of buildings is an integral part of the disposal process. We shall consider what needs to be done when we examine other uses for the site. It is our intention that a new use be found for the site immediately upon military vacation.
The Ministry of Defence will cooperate with the Welsh Office and local authorities in trying to find alternative uses for the site. Every effort will also be made to find alternative employment for the staff employed at the depot whose loyalty and dedication in the past has been highly valued.