§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to close the RNAS base at Portland; and where he plans to relocate the search and rescue helicopters currently based there.
§ Mr. SoamesIt is our intention to close RNAS Portland by 1999. The Royal Navy Sea Kings, which. currently provide daytime-only search and rescue cover, are planned to join the Sea King Mk IV fleet at HMS Heron at Yeovilton. In the light of their planned withdrawal, future search and rescue coverage in the region is currently being considered with the coastguard.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to base search and rescue helicopter operations at RAF St. Athan in the next three years.
§ Mr. SoamesThere are no plans to base search and rescue operations permanently at RAF St. Athan. However, the station is often used as a temporary operating base and this practice is expected to continue.