I AM writing in reference to an item which I have addressed before and which continues to be a puzzlement.

I refer to the lack of a minister’s statement on the future of RAF St Athan and whether there will be an increase of Army personnel at the base (‘Minister touches base: Announcement expected before Christmas,’ Barry & District News, October 18).

Christmas came and went. No announcement. I took the matter up with our MP Alun Cairns who told me that an announcement would be made – probably early in the New Year. Not So. Why? What is happening?

In the news Alun Cairns said he was “Looking forward to the future role of the base being confirmed and we will be calling on him (the Armed Forces Minister Andrew Robathan) to give us a major military unit, in addition to the Special Forces already there.”

Maybe the Christmas referred to is in fact not Christmas 2012, but perhaps 2013, 2014 or 2015?

We should be told.

Christopher Short Aberystwyth Crescent Barry