HL Deb 22 September 1975 vol 364 cc7-8

2.48 p.m.

Baroness STEDMAN

My 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 any decisions have been taken regarding the use of surplus land and accommodation at RAF Upwood, Huntingdon.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, detailed studies are still continuing into the long-term future of RAF Upwood, but I hope that an announcement can be made shortly.

Baroness STEDMAN

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he has had any success in conveying the views of the county council and the district authority, whom he was gracious enough to meet during the Recess, that if no alternative military use can be found for RAF Upwood it will be a tremendous waste if those buildings are just let off piecemeal to a hotchpotch of occupants? Has the Minister expressed to his colleagues in the Ministry of Defence the view of the local authorities, that if there is no further military use for RAF Upwood then there should be long-term planning so that the site can be viewed as a whole?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, the noble Baroness knows that the views of her local authority have been conveyed with great clarity to the Ministry of Defence, but since the visit which she mentioned the pattern regarding the future deployment of RAF Upwood has become reasonably clear. An early completion of the present studies is expected and then the future of RAF Upwood can be made known. Consideration is being given to the use of the runway by a private gliding club, which I know is something that is much wished for by the area, and some of the hangar accommodation is to be used for storage. I will make a point of stressing to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State the need for comprehensive development of the good facilities that remain there.

Lord SEGAL

My Lords, as this is one of the finest pre-war stations of the Royal Air Force, would my noble friend see to it that, pending the decisions being taken, none of these buildings is allowed to fall into a state of disrepair?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, the station is on a care and maintenance basis, and as a result of personal inspection I am satisfied that the care and maintenance is of a high quality.