§ Mr. David Kidney (Stafford)The Ministry of Defence is carrying out a review of air combat service support units that could have a catastrophic effect on RAF Stafford. That is why, in just the last three weeks, some 5,000 residents of Stafford and the surrounding area have signed a petition backing RAF Stafford. The first signature on the first page is, fittingly, the first citizen of Stafford borough and current mayor, Councillor John Russell. Also among the signatories is the chairman of Staffordshire county council, Councillor Eddie Boden. The number and range of signatures shows the depth of feeling and the concern in my community about the future of RAF Stafford.
The prayer reads:
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons call on the Secretary of State for Defence to acknowledge the operational effectiveness of RAF Stafford, its commitment to tri-service working, provision of Cadet training and contribution to local recruitment to all HM Forces; urge him not to remove from RAF Stafford the majority of its uniformed personnel and to recognise that to do so would undermine the viability of the rest of the base's activities; assure him that the loss of RAF Stafford would seriously damage the local economy and good community relations between the Ministry of Defence and the civil population; and invite him to give the Petitioners an assurance that his Ministry's review shall have regard to the serious long-term implications for the whole community of Stafford.And the Petitioners remain etc.To lie upon the Table.