HC Deb 26 July 1956 vol 557 cc67-8W
Mr. Rippon

asked the Secretary of State for Air what staging facilities are available in Pakistan to the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Birch

The Governments of the United Kingdom and of Pakistan have agreed that the Royal Air Force staging post, at Mauripur should be closed down on 31st December, 1956, in order to enable the Pakistan Air Force to have full use of the airfield. It has been agreed by the Pakistan Government that the Karachi civil airport may thereafter be used by the Royal Air Force under arrangements to be made with a civil contractor for the maintenance and servicing of Royal Air Force aircraft and for the handling of personnel in transit.

The Royal Air Force staging post at Mauripur has been in existence for many years. It has been progressively reduced in size as its facilities have been taken over by the Pakistan Air Force under the terms of an agreement concluded in 1948 between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the then Secretary of State for Air.

I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the Pakistan Government and the Pakistan Air Force for their help in maintaining the facilities at Mauripur and for their co-operation over arranging alternative facilities at Karachi civil airport.