§ Mr. LordTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of RAF Wattisham; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonMy Department has been looking at possible defence uses for RAF Wattisham after the withdrawal of the Phantom force by mid-1993. I have 307W now decided that two regiments of the Army Air Corps should be based at Wattisham. There are currently two Army Air Corps regiments based in the United Kingdom, at Netheravon and Dishforth. Under "Options for Change", this will increase to four regiments on the redeployment of two of the three regiments currently based in Germany. RAF Wattisham has been identified as the most cost-effective option for an operational base for the two regiments returning from Germany and their support units. The units co-locating at RAF Wattisham will be 3 and 4 Regiments AAC, 71 Aircraft Workshops and 2 Aircraft Support Unit. In addition, two RAF search and rescue Sea King helicopters will move to Wattisham in 1994. It is too early to say what the detailed implications will be for the staff at RAF Wattisham. Full consultation will take place with the trades unions concerned in accordance with agreed procedures. There will also be some other rationalisation moves within United Kingdom: one squadron from 7 Regiment at Netheravon will join 9 Regiment at Dishforth and will be replaced by one of the three new TA flights being formed in 1993. The other two TA flights will be based at RAF Shawbury and RAF Turnhouse.