HC Deb 19 June 1990 vol 174 cc547-8W
Sir Trevor Skeet

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what criteria he has laid down for permitted development of the airfield at Thurleigh;

(2) what proposals there are for providing road and rail access to Thurleigh airport to facilitate its development;

(3) what proposals there are, in the event of his Department not requiring the airfield at Thurleigh, for the sale of the freehold;

(4) whether development projects other than aircraft-related ones are envisaged for the use of the airfield at Thurleigh;

(5) whether research and development will continue to be undertaken at Thurleigh; and for what period.

Mr. Neubert

The future of the RAE Bedford (Thurleigh) airfield is under consideration as part of a study into the future of the three Procurement Executive airfields. It is too early to say what the outcome of the study might be.

Sir Trevor Skeet

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much land, other than the actual airfield, at Thurleigh is owned by his Department;

(2) what acreage of land is involved in the area designated at the airfield at Thurleigh.

Mr. Neubert

The land in the ownership of the MOD at Bedford comprises 1,420 acres, of which the airfield occupies 1,206 acres.

Sir Trevor Skeet

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has as to how many people live within(a) 1 mile, (b) 3 miles, (c) 5 miles and (d) 10 miles of Thurleigh airfield.

Mr. Neubert

This information is not held by the Ministry of Defence.

Sir Trevor Skeet

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he proposes to make a statement on the future of the airfields at Thurleigh, Boscombe Down and Farnborough;

(2) what consultation has taken place with local residents about the use of the airfield at Thurleigh.

Mr. Neubert

I hope to make a statement as soon as possible on the outcome of the procurement executive airfields study. There will be full consultation with interested parties.

Sir Trevor Skeet

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what proposals have been put to him by United Parcel Services of the United States for the running of the airfield and facilities at Thurleigh;

(2) how many groups have approached him about the possible commercial use of the airfield at Thurleigh for freight movement.

Mr. Neubert

There have been a number of informal, preliminary inquiries about the possible commercial use of the airfield at Thurleigh. This has included an approach from United Parcels Service (UPS). Discussions are continuing. The details are a confidential matter between the parties concerned.

Sir Trevor Skeet

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost of maintaining and administering the airfield at Thurleigh.

Mr. Neubert

The annual cost of operating the airfield at RAE Bedford is approximately £2 million.

Sir Trevor Skeet

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what time scale he proposes to privatise the wind tunnels and related facilities at Thurleigh.

Mr. Neubert

There are no plans at present to privatise the wind tunnels and related facilities at Thurleigh.