HC Deb 22 February 1973 vol 851 cc165-7W
Dr. Marshall

asked the Minister of State for Defence which of the present activities of Royal Air Force Finningley could not continue there in the event of a civil airport being developed at Thorne Waste.

Lord Lambton

The primary role of Royal Air Force Finningley is to carry out the flying training of Royal Air Force navigators, engineers and air electronics officers. Continuation of these tasks would be incompatible with the development of a civil airport at Thorne Waste.

Mr. Mulley

asked the Minister of State for Defence at which Royal Air Force stations activities would be restricted in any way by the development of a civil airport at Thorne Waste.

Lord Lambton

The development of a civil airport at Thorne Waste would have widespread and most damaging repercussions on the whole pattern of flying training for the Royal Air Force, much of which is carried out in the Vale of York. In particular, it would be incompatible with the operation of Royal Air Force Finningley and would seriously impinge on the flying activities of Royal Air Force Church Fenton and Royal Air Force Elvington.

Mr. Kelley

asked the Minister of State for Defence what would be the effect on civilian employment opportunities at Royal Air Force Finningley of development of a civil airport at Thorne Waste.

Lord Lambton

The level of civilian employment at Royal Air Force Finningley would depend entirely on the extent to which a non-flying rôle could be found for the station, since continuation of its flying training task would he incompatible with the development of a civil airport at Thorne Waste.

Mr. Ford

asked the Minister of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of redeploying activities from Royal Air Force Finningley consequent upon development of a civil airport at Thorne Waste.

Lord Lambton

To redeploy the tasks of Royal Air Force Finningley elsewhere would involve major changes in the Royal Air Force's pattern of flying training. Much study would be required to see whether a suitable alternative site could be found in the Vale of York or whether wider redeployments were needed. In such circumstances any estimated cost of the reprovision of Royal Air Force Finningley by itself would be largely hypothetical but the overall financial consequences can be expected to be very severe.