§ Mr. MansTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications of administrative receivership of the Carroll Aircraft Corporation for the future of business aviation at Farnborough.
§ Mr. FreemanAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport indicated to the House, 20 December 1994,Official Report, columns 1091–92, the Government believe that it is important to retain capacity for business aviation at Farnborough. I have, nevertheless, decided that, in the light of the recent receivership of Urban Development Corporation, my Department should give Urban Development Corporation, which holds a lease under which business aviation operates from 333W Farnborough, five years' notice of our intention to end the flying agreement. This decision does not affect the Government's belief that Farnborough is important for the future of business aviation in the south-east of England. Nor does it affect the commitment to make Farnborough available to the Society of British Aerospace Companies for the biennial airshow at least until the year 2000, and I hope beyond.