HC Deb 29 January 1958 vol 581 c344
3. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the headquarters and personnel at Dyce Airfield and at the city headquarters of the Royal Air Force, Aberdeen, indicating, in particular, why the change in location was effected, the effect on the number of employees employed there, the amount of redundancy thereby caused, and the steps which he is taking to provide employment for those made redundant.

Mr. Ward

The station headquarters at Dyce is no longer needed because the Fighter Control Unit which was formerly located at Dyce now has its administrative centre, and carries out synthetic training, at its town headquarters in Aberdeen. Operational training is still carried out at Buchan. Nineteen posts have become redundant, but two of the men affected, including the one established employee, have been transferred to similar posts elsewhere. The redundancies were reported to the Ministry of Labour immediately they occurred.

Mr. Hughes

Does this change mean that Aberdeen must give up all hope of a direct air service with the South, particularly London? If not, what prospects are there, now that this change has taken place, of such a direct service being effected in the near future?

Mr. Ward

That is a matter which I must ask the hon. and learned Gentleman to take up with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.