§ Lord Gainfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have for the future of operational sea training at Portland.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Viscount Cranborne)Having given full and careful consideration to the representations made, we have decided to proceed with the transfer of operational sea training from Portland to Devonport and to close Portland Naval Base by April 1996. We will continue to consult the Trades Unions about the implications for staff, and will also work closely with the Portland area local authorities to investigate possible alternative commercial uses for the naval base.