HC Deb 22 May 2002 vol 386 cc364-5W
Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what investigation has been carried out into the security implications of the suggested commercial use of RAF bases in Scotland; what the outcome was of this investigation; and if he will make a statement; [58291]

(2) what representations have been made to his Department by private airline companies with regards to RAF bases in Scotland, including the dates of representations and the bases discussed; and if he will make a statement; [58169]

(3) what representations his Department made to commercial airline companies concerning the possibility of commercial use of RAF bases in Scotland; if he will list these representations by (a) date and (b) airline concerned; and if he will make a statement; [58167]

(4) what costings have been made with regard to the commercial use of (a) RAF Kinloss, (b) RAF Lossiemouth and (c) RAF Leuchars; if these costings were passed on to commercial airline companies; and if he will make a statement; [58168]

(5) what the conclusions of Strike Command's feasibility study were for each of the Scottish RAF bases; and if he will make a statement. [58292]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 21 May 2002]: As part of the Government's wider market initiative, RAF Strike Command is considering the feasibility for commercial exploitation of irreducible spare capacity at RAF Leuchars. No other airfields in Scotland have so far been considered. The RAF Leuchars study is at an early stage with the team currently examining whether commercial exploitation of irreducible spare capacity is feasible. As a part of this work, consultants have sought the views of the airline operator community; however, the detailed findings are commercially sensitive. The feasibility study has no remit to address the issue of what the costs might be for a commercial airline company to operate scheduled services from RAF Leuchars. Initial indications suggest that there might be some irreducible surplus airfield capacity at RAF Leuchars. However, until the Ministry of Defence formally seeks proposals from industry as part of an open and competitive process, my officials cannot fully evaluate the potential for the commercial exploitation at RAF Leuchars. A security assessment has not been undertaken at this stage of the feasibility study.

Some three weeks ago, Ryan Air expressed an interest in introducing new routes into Scotland, possibly using RAF airfields. Their formal proposals are awaited. No Ministry of Defence Minister or official has met representatives of commercial airline companies to discuss the commercial use of RAF stations in Scotland. Apart from occasional use by civil air operators permitted by existing MOD regulations, no formal proposals have been put forward by airline companies for the operation of scheduled services from any of the RAF stations located in Scotland.