§ 2.43 p.m.
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy 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 Hampshire County Council 688 intend to acquire Blackbushe Aerodrome and, if so, to what use they intend to put it.
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, some years ago Hampshire County Council accepted from the previous owner a notice requiring them to purchase Blackbushe Aerodrome, but I understand that, more recently, discussions were held with the present owner with a view to his keeping it, subject to agreement on its future use. I am informed that the county council have so far taken no decision on the use of the aerodrome, if and when they become the owners.
§ Lord TREFGARNEMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness for that reply, which is encouraging. Is the noble Baroness aware that Blackbushe is a very useful and happily sited airfield, particularly for the general aviation community? May I ask the noble Baroness whether or not it would be better to consider developing that airfield rather than Biggin Hill, as foreshadowed in the Government's recent White Paper on airport policy?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, the White Paper proposals were formulated in the knowledge that there was this question mark over Blackbushe and that there is still sufficient flying accommodation in the South-East of England. What we cannot do at this stage is to assure the existing users that the flying facilities will be maintained at Blackbushe because the question is subject to the outcome of an appeal on commons rights which is to go before the Appeal Court in April.