HC Deb 23 May 1991 vol 191 c610W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of Royal Air Force Finningley.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Royal Air Force Finningley is principally a flying training station. No decisions have been taken to change that role.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by year for the past 10 years, the amount of night flying that has taken place at Royal Air Force Finningley for(a) training purposes and (b) other reasons; and how much has taken place to date for 1991.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The numbers of hours of night flying by aircraft normally based at RAF Finningley for the years in question were as follows:

Hours
1981 1,189
1982 1,112
1983 847
1984 706
1985 480
1986 716
1987 850
1988 626
1989 870
1990 1,281

Note: The figure for 1991, to date, is 461 hours.

Most of this flying took place away from RAF Finningley. Nearly all was for training purposes.