20. Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Air for what purposes the Royal Air Force propose to use the former United States air base at Burtonwood, Lancashire.
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Julian Amery)As a reserve airfield.
Mr. LeeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that for three or four years I have been trying to impress upon the Government that this great base, the biggest freighter base in Europe, has been deteriorating rapidly, while the Government have been procrastinating, and that I have been fobbed off with a story that the runway is unusable because of mining subsidence? Would he confirm that this runway is in good condition to help in transporting freight for industry, as soon as the Royal Air Force have gone out?
§ Mr. AmeryWe think that the runway will give us good service for some years yet, but this will to a large extent depend upon the progress of the subsidence which is affecting the main runway. As I think the hon. Gentleman knows, we have no objection in principle to civil use, subject to the R.A.F. having priority, provided that the cost of civil operations does not fall on Air Votes.
Mr. LeeWill the Minister say that the fact that the R.A.F. is now using it will not preclude industry in the North-West from utilising the runway at Burton-wood, if it can be used with advantage for industrial freight?
§ Mr. AmeryAs the hon. Gentleman knows, subject to the R.A.F. having priority, and provided that the cost of civil operation does not fall on Air Votes, yes.