HC Deb 11 May 1988 vol 133 cc136-7W
Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the actual and proposed developments at Machrihanish air base following its increasing use by military aircraft and personnel.

Mr. Freeman

Subject to securing the necessary funding from NATO sources, it is intended to carry out a programme of modernisation of the facilities at RAF Machrihanish over the next seven years or so. Our plans are still at a relatively early stage of development, but we shall be approaching the local planning authorities very shortly for formal consultation on our outline proposals.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will detail any alterations at present being carried out or being planned for the future at Machrihanish air base.

Mr. Freeman

Some work is curently under way to provide increased protection to existing facilities at Machrihanish. It is too early to give details of the proposed future modernisation projects. but further consultation will take place in the normal way with local planning authorities when design work reaches an appropriate stage.