§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the future role of RAF Machrihanish;
(2) if he will make a statement on the use of facilities at RAF Machrihanish by United States armed forces.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonRAF Machrihanish is primarily established as a wartime forward operating base for NATO, including United States, maritime patrol aircraft. United States navy aircraft occasionally use the station for exercises. Additionally, the station accommodates a United States navy mobile mine assembly group and special warfare unit. There are no current plans to change this role.
§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts have been awarded for construction work at RAF Machrihanish during 1990–91; and what is their individual cost.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonContracts awarded in 1990–91 for construction work at RAF Machrihanish cover airfield paving, aviation fuel storage installations, an operational and administrative building, a range of accommodation buildings, a civil aviation terminal and a public road. These exclude minor works and have a cumulative value of £28 million—of which some £15 million falls to United States and NATO funds. It is not possible to give the costs of individual contracts for reasons of commercial confidentiality.