HC Deb 05 February 1969 vol 777 cc106-8W
76. Mr. Will Owen

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the local economic conditions were taken into consideration when decision was taken to transfer the Royal Air Force from Acklington, Northumberland; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Reynolds

The decision to withdraw the Royal Air Force from Acklington was taken after full consideration of all the issues involved, including the local economic conditions and after consultation with my colleagues concerned.

Mr. Will Owen

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the service and civilian staff, respectively, at the Royal Air Force Station, Acklington, Northumberland, are established personnel; how many of these will either be posted or transferred to other work; what action is being taken to deal with the remainder; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Reynolds

R.A.F. personnel will be posted to other duties. There are 100 established Ministry of Defence and M.P.B.W. civilians at R.A.F. Station Acklington. All those under 60 years of age will initially be offered alternative employment with their respective departments, although in many cases this may mean moving home. Close liaison will be maintained with the local office of the Department of Employment and Productivity to help unestablished and temporary staff who are not transferred to other employment with their Department to find other jobs. All those whose services have to be terminated will be eligible for gratuities under the Superannuation Act, or for redundancy payments in accordance with the Redundancy Payments Act, provided that they have completed the necessary qualifying service.

Mr. Will Owen

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many houses his Department owns on the Royal Air Force Station, Acklington, Northumberland; how many of these are service married quarters; how many have civilian tenants; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Reynolds

261 houses, all of them service married quarters, are owned by the Department at the Royal Air Force Station, Acklington. Two are occupied by civilians serving at the station. The requirement for these quarters will be considered further when a decision has been taken on a possible future use for the station.