§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for a second runway for the staging post or base at Aldabra; and what is the cost.
§ Mr. HealeyIf it were decided to build an airfield at Aldabra, we would adopt the normal practice of constructing the taxiway parallel to the runway, to specifications which would enable it to be 55W used in emergency for take off and landing. There are no plans for a second runway.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what provision he has made for extra footage to the main runway on Aldabra Atoll and why.
§ Mr. HealeyIf a decision is taken to build an airfield on Aldabra the length of its runway will be related to the requirements of the aircraft which will use it. There will be nothing extra.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the report of Mr. Ernest N. Wright of the Ministry of Agriculture Infestation Control Division Laboratory, made on his return from Aldabra, showing how thousands of frigate birds can be destroyed to avoid bird-strike.
§ Mr. HealeyInformation provided by Mr. Wright on the ornithological aspects of the bird strike problem is being examined in relation to other factors affecting bird strikes. I will consider whether it will be appropriate in due course to publish an assessment of the problem. Mr. Wright's report does not take the form indicated in the Question.