HC Deb 16 February 1988 vol 127 c538W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of his discussions with Mr. Valerio Zanone, the Minister of Defence of Italy, on the fate of the F-16s formerly at the Torrejon base in Spain.

Mr. Ian Stewart

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State visited Rome on 27 January for bilateral discussions with Signor Zanone on a range of issues of mutual interest. In noting the proposed withdrawal of the F-16s currently based at Torrejon it was agreed that, in view of the important role played by the aircraft in the defence of Europe, they should if possible be relocated elsewhere in the southern region.