HC Deb 21 February 1978 vol 944 cc1203-4
13. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what requests he has received from the United States authorities for the bringing into full operational use of Royal Air Force bases currently kept on a standby basis.

Mr. Wellbeloved

As I told the hon. Member in my letter of 3rd February, the United States authorities have requested the agreement of Her Majesty's Government to the use of RAF Greenham Common as a peace-time base for up to 15 KC-135 tanker aircraft. This request is being carefully considered.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

Is the Minister aware of the highly populated state of the area around RAF Greenham Common? Does he agree that, were the base to become operational, it would bring intolerable noise to thousands of people and genuine anxiety about an air crash? Will he ask the United States authorities to look for alternative bases in less populous areas?

Mr. Wellbeloved

No decision has been taken about the reactivation of Greenham Common. As I said, we are considering the whole subject. In that consideration we are taking into account the possibility of alternatives to Greenham Common. We are anxious that the United States should, with us, continue to provide sufficient forces forward in the European area to act as a meaningful deterrent against an aggressor. I am sure that that is in the interests of those who live around Greenham Common as much as of those who live anywhere else.

Mr. Stoddart

As I contested the Newbury constituency on two occasions—unsuccessfully, I may say—I know that when the base was operational it caused a great deal of trouble and nuisance to residents in the Newbury area. I feel sure that my hon. Friend will want to look very closely at any proposals to reopen the base and that he will take account of the views of people living in Newbury.

Mr. Wellbeloved

I join my hon. Friends in regretting that my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Stoddart) did not join us on an earlier occasion. We are carefully considering this application because it raises a considerable number of important issues. I am quite certain, however, that, if we have to strike a balance between the noise that will be generated by friendly aircraft and the noise and destruction that would be generated by hostile aircraft, the balance of judgment lies in providing proper facilities for the defence of freedom.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible date.