§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the representatives of the civilian work force at the aeroplane and armaments experimental establishment at Boscombe Down about the future of the procurement executive airfields.
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§ Mr. NeubertMy Department undertakes research and development flying at three procurement executive airfields at Bedford, Boscombe Down and Farnborough. My hon. Friend the Member for Hove (Mr. Sainsbury) informed the House on 15 December 1988, column683, of our intention to conduct a study into the future requirements for these airfields.
External consultants were accordingly commissioned in 1989, and they recently submitted their report to the Department. We are now considering the way ahead, with making the most cost-effective use of our facilities against a background of declining flying activity our highest priority.
As part of our normal practice of keeping the work force fully informed of our intentions, the study's terms of reference, which included instructions to consult the trade unions and to take full account of their views, were passed to the appropriate trade unions. There will, of course, be full consultation with the trade unions and other interested parties before any final decisions are taken.