§ 2.48 p.m.
§ LORD JACQUESMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, since the military airport at Thorney Island has one runway surplus to requirements and now out of use, they would give an early decision on its partial and regular use as a civil airport and thus liberate the land which is used as an unsatisfactory airport in the City of Portsmouth and which is urgently needed for development.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, R.A.F. (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)My Lords, on present plans the R.A.F. will need Thorney Island airfield in the long term. It is already available to civil users during normal hours of opening by prior permission of the Commanding Officer. Any proposal to introduce regular civil traffic would have to be looked at carefully in the light of future R.A.F. needs and of any plans that may be put forward for the development of civil aerodrome facilities in the area.