HC Deb 19 December 1952 vol 509 c277W
Mr. Hamilton

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how this staff at the Royal Naval Air Station, Donibristle, Fife, is to be reduced; what are the reasons for such reduction; and whether he will make a statement on the future of this establishment

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

In order to economise in administration, and thereby release more men from shore duties for service afloat, it is planned to redistribute some of the tasks of the Royal Naval Air Station, Donibristle, to other Naval Air Stations and to arrange a contract with a commercial firm for those flying tasks which must remain. Some of these arrangements have already been put into effect and others are still under consideration. The extent and timing of the reductions involved, therefore, cannot be accurately forecast at present.

Apart from those employed in the R.N. Aircraft Repair Yard, which is not affected by these arrangements, the complement of the Air Station last summer was 430 R.N. and W.R.N.S. personnel and 189 civilians. These numbers are expected to be reduced in due course by not less than three-quarters of the R.N. and W.R.N.S. personnel and half of the civilians.