§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the average number of take-offs and landings of aircraft at Fairford, per month, over the last seven months, together with the expected number of monthly take-offs and landings of aircraft (a) six months from now, (b) 12 months from now, (c) 18 months from now and (d) 24 months from now.
§ Mr. WellbelovedThe average number of aircraft movements (ie, take-offs or landing) at RAF Fairford over the last212W seven months was 825 per month, made up as follows:
December 1977 497 January 1978 862 February 1978 767 March 1978 772 April 1978 422 May 1978 487 June 1978 1,970 As was stated in the memorandum published by my right hon. Friend on this subject on 5th July, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, I expect the number of aircraft movements at RAF Fairford to be reduced when the KC 135 tankers are stationed there. The KC 135s will generate some 350 movements per month when all 15 aircraft have arrived. I cannot at this stage make a precise estimate of the number of other flights that there may be at RAF Fairford in particular months after the KC 135s are stationed there.