§ Mr. Gwynfor Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons under 19 years of age are unemployed in (a) Wales, (b) Dyfed, and (c) Carmarthen constituency, respectively.
§ Mr. Alec JonesThe information requested is not available. The half-yearly age analysis of the unemployed gives information for the 16- and 17-year-olds and 18- and 19-year-olds respectively. The latest information available relates to January 1978 and is as follows:
United States tanker aircraft before the Summer Adjournment; and if he will give an undertaking that no announcement will be made when Parliament is in recess.
§ Mr. WellbelovedAlthough it is hoped that an announcement about the location of the base for the United States tanker aircraft will be made before the Summer Adjournment, my right hon. Friend is unable to promise this. A number of issues have still to be resolved, and it is not yet possible to say how long these discussions will take. However, it is hoped that it will be possible to make a statement within the next few weeks.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United States Air Force requirement for a base for KC135 supertankers includes a requirement for testing aeroplane engines upon the ground.
§ Mr. WellbelovedYes, but the requirement would be small. At RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, which already accommodates a similar number of identical aircraft, an average of two engine runs a week to maximum, power are carried out, each for between two to five minutes duration. In addition, ten to 15 engine starts to idle power are made each week to check the operation of engine instruments. Local noise abatement procedures, including the observance of night time quiet hours, are also adopted.
§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has studied the noise contour map for the KC 135 aircraft based upon Fairford, prepared by the Cotswold District Council; whether he 525W believes it accurate; and whether it would be different for an easterly wind.
§ Mr. WellbelovedMy right hon. Friend has not received a noise contour map prepared by the Cotswold District Council. The question of noise levels will, however, be taken into account in reaching a decision on a base for these aircraft, and in the particular case of Fairford a noise contour map has been drawn to our attention by a local action group. I would not wish to comment on its accuracy at this stage. All aircraft are required to follow a westerly departure route from Fairford, although in the event of easterly wind the take-off itself would, of course, be to the east.