§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has yet made a decision about the use of RAF Fairford as a base for USAF tanker aircraft, following his consultations with local authorities.
§ Mr. MulleyOn 5th July I informed the House of my conclusion, on the basis of studies conducted by the Ministry of Defence and the United States Air Force, that RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire was the right airfield for the 15 extra KC135 tankers which the USAF wish to station in the United Kingdom. The memorandum published by the Ministry of Defence on the same day, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House, explained in detail both the military requirement and the reasons for my choice of Fairford to meet it. This memorandum has formed the basis for subsequent consultations about my proposal with the local authorities concerned within the terms of paragraphs 4 and 5 of DOE Circular 7/77.
In taking a decision, I have had to weigh the needs of the defence and security of the United Kingdom and its allies against the expressions of view on my proposal—particularly concerning its effect on the environment—which I have since received from the local authorities. I have now carefully and sympathetically considered all the comments made by those who will be affected by this proposal; but, in my view, nothing that has been said in the local authorities' comments calls into question my earlier conclusion that RAF Fairford is the right choice of base for the KC135s both in the short and long term. Extra resources spent on deploying the aircraft elsewhere would be at the expense of other measures of Alliance defence. I have accordingly decided that RAF Fairford shall be made available to the USAF for its KC135 tankers.
5WThe Ministry of Defence will be replying in detail to particular points made by the local councils, but I have already agreed with the United States Government on certain measures which can be taken to satisfy some of the local authorities' points; and others will be the subject of further discussions with the councils. As the Ministry of Defence memorandum makes clear, there will be further consultation with local authorities, in accordance with paragraph 1 of DOE Circular 7/77, about the new building works needed mainly to modernise or replace the older facilities at Fairford. The extent of these works is indicated in paragraph 47 of the memorandum. The Government will also consult the local authorities about the proposals which might arise in future and which fall within the scope of the DOE circular. However, I can assure the hon. Member that at present the Government have no plans for further development of the base.