§ 60. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Minister of Defence what strategic considerations underlie the survey of Stornoway Airfield as a possible North Atlantic Treaty Organisation base; why the Admiralty has been asked to carry out the survey; what other Service Departments are involved in arriving at a decision as to its future; when a clear decision will be made known; what other airfields in the north and north-west, in less populous areas, have been, or are being surveyed; and what opportunities will be given for objections by local interests in the Western Isles area to be heard before any further steps are taken in connection with the Stornoway Airfield.
§ Mr. SandysAn airfield is needed in the North West part of the British Isles for the support of N.A.T.O. naval forces. Some 15 possible sites have been considered. Of these, Stornoway seems to be the most suitable, but no firm decision has yet been reached.
Both the Admiralty and the Air Ministry are concerned. If it is decided to proceed with this project, the local authorities affected will, of course, be consulted and planning clearance will be sought in the normal way.