HC Deb 17 February 1972 vol 831 cc590-1
4. Mr Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will now organise a round-table conference with all the appropriate local authorities to discuss the co-ordination of civil and military air base facilities, and where relevant the development of joint civil and military use of existing air base facilities in the South Hampshire and West Sussex area.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force (Lord Lambton)

Not at the moment.

Mr. Judd

Will the hon. Gentleman accept that his answers and those of his colleagues in the past have been regarded as very helpful, and that there has been altogether too much prevarication in the area? In the interests of both civil and military air movements and airport facilities it is urgent that everyone in the area should get together. Will the hon. Gentleman or one of his colleagues take some initiative in the matter?

Lord Lambton

We are looking at the matter urgently. I do not want in any way to discourage the idea which the hon. Gentleman put forward. I will get in touch with him at a later date about what we are doing. It is probable that some fruit will grow from his idea.