§ 30. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future use of Leconfield Aerodrome, near Hull.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Royal Air Force will require Leconfield for as far ahead as can be foreseen. Exactly what its future rôle will be has not yet been decided.
§ Mr. James JohnsonIn view of that Answer, which I did not expect, may I ask my hon. Friend, who is a Yorkshire Member like myself, to bear in mind the keen anxiety that the situation will change should the Hull City Council desire a modern municipal airport, in view of our movement towards the Common Market?
§ Mr. ReesI am aware of the interest that my hon. Friend has in the economic development of Yorkshire and Humberside. But, in terms of my right hon. Friend's responsibility for R.A.F., Leconfield, my reply is bald and clear. Under the defence review, we have not yet decided its future.
§ Mr. WallWill the hon. Gentleman tell us when his right hon. Friend will make up his mind on the matter, because it is an important one? If the airfield is to be used by civil aviation as well as the R.A.F., the present arrangements can go ahead. If the R.A.F. are to quit the airfield, new arrangements must be made.
§ Mr. ReesWe are fully aware of the importance of R.A.F., Leconfield, but it is not only its operational use which is important, because there are many other important issues there, namely, the flying zones in that part of Yorkshire. But it will be expedited, as I have promised my hon. Friend.