HC Deb 16 March 1972 vol 833 cc754-5
29. Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will publish in the Official Report details of all those Royal Air Force and Royal Navy air bases in Great Britain at which there are regular joint military and civilian operations; whether he will publish details of the extent of those joint operations; and whether he will make a statement on his plans for the extension and development of such joint operations throughout Great Britain.

Lord Lambton

I will, with permission, publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of the 52 Royal Air Force and Royal Navy airfields at which facilities are available for civil aviation. We will continue to make such facilities available whenever possible.

Mr. Judd

I thank the hon. Member for that reply. Would he not agree that, in the cause of economy of public funds and resources, it would make good sense to develop a programme of joint rational use of civil and military aircraft wherever possible?

Lord Lambton

There is considerable liaison between the authorities concerned, and a lot of use is made in this way.

Following is the information:

The following Royal Navy and Royal Air Force airfields may at present be used by civil aircraft, by prior permission of the Officer Commanding:

Abingdon Lyneham
Andover Machrihanish
Benson Manby
Bicester Manston
Binbrook Newton
Chivenor Oakington
Church Fenton Odiham
Colerne Ouston
Coltishall Portland
Cosford St. Mawgan
Cranwell Shawbury
Culdrose Strubby
Dishforth Ternhill
Elvington Thorney Island
Halton Topcliffe
Kemble Upavon
Kinloss Valley
Leconfield Waddington
Lee-on-Solent Wattisham
Leeming White Waltham
Leuchars Wittering
Lindholme Woodvale
Linton-on-Ouse Wroughton
Little Rissington Yeovilton
Lossiemouth

The following Royal Air Force airfields are available for limited civil use:

Fairford St. Athan
Northolt

Information about the degree of use made by civil aircraft of military airfields is not readily available.