§ 6. Mr. Andrew Dismore (Hendon)If he will make a statement about the future development plans for the RAF museum, Hendon. [117884]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Dr. Lewis Moonie)The RAF museum trustees' plans for development at Hendon are dependent on an imminent stage 2 bid for heritage lottery funds. The Ministry of Defence has provided funds in support of that bid and we have given a commitment to provide further funds should the bid be successful.
§ Mr. DismoreI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that assurance of support. However, the scheme is also dependent on the plans for the former RAF East camp site, which are presently with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. Will he use his best endeavours to ensure that DETR gets on with making a decision on that planning issue, because without it the full scheme cannot go ahead?
§ Dr. MoonieMy Department is committed to the success of the RAF museum and to its development plans. The question of the related East camp planning inquiry is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. While I cannot comment on a planning inquiry, I am sure that my right hon. Friend will have noted my hon. Friend's remarks.
§ Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith. (Wealden)Has the Minister any plans to donate funds to enable more Tornados to be stored at the RAF museum? I know that there is a shortage of pilots, and that might help.
§ Dr. MoonieThat was a very helpful question. I have not received any inquiries about the possibility of putting more Tornados there, but I am sure that any such inquiry would be given serious consideration.