HC Deb 27 February 1963 vol 672 cc1241-2
23. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Secretary of State for Air, if he will make a statement on the future of Greenham Common Royal Air Force station now that the United States Air Force has announced that the B47 bombers are returning to their Texas base; and if he will give a renewed assurance that, Service requirements allowing, intensive operations will be limited to certain periods of the year and Sunday flying will be avoided in the interest of the people of Newbury and neighbourhood.

Mr. H. Fraser

B47 aircraft will continue to be based at Greenham Common which is still required by the United States Air Force. As in the past, every effort will be made to limit disturbance to local residents.

Sir A. Hurd

Has my right hon. Friend not read the Press statement put out by the United States Air Force saying that these aircraft are going back to Texas and will be replaced by a number of some other aircraft—I do not remember what—which sounded more noisy and more powerful than those already there now? May I take it that the statement is incorrect?

Mr. Fraser

The official announcement says that the number of B47s at Greenham Common has been reduced and that only one Strategic Air Command Bomber unit was involved. The Americans still require the station, which is vitally important to them. I hope that the disturbance to people in the neighbourhood will be kept to a minimum.

Sir A. Hurd

May we have a clear statement from the Air Ministry on what is, in fact, happening?

Mr. Fraser

I have just given a clear statement.