§ 38. Mr. Mathersasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether there is any intention of altering the status of the Royal Air Force stations at Turnhouse and Donibristle; and what is intended to be the future position of the Royal Air Force in Scotland?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)Changes in the disposition of units now occupying these stations are likely to take place in the early part of the coming year, but there is no intention of abandoning the use of either of them for military purposes. As regards the second part of the question, no change in the general position of the Royal Air Force in Scotland is contemplated.
§ Mr. MathersDoes that mean that Royal Air Force squadrons will still be maintained at Turnhouse and Donibristle—fully equipped squadrons, not the Saturday afternoon type?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI am not quite clear what the hon. Member means by "Saturday afternoon type," but an Auxiliary Air Force squadron will still be maintained at Turnhouse, and at Donibristle the torpedo bomber squadron will be replaced by a Fleet Air Arm training establishment.
§ Mr. MathersDoes this mean that the possibility of protecting the estuary of the River Forth, the City of Edinburgh and the Rosyth Naval Base is being seriously reduced?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThat is rather a wider question. I can assure the hon. Member that I am quite certain that these points are being kept in mind.