§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department is taking to preserve the Yorkshire air museum based at Elvington, North Yorkshire after the closure of Royal Air Force, Elvington, with particular reference to the air shows carried out there; and if he will make a statement. [39531]
§ Mr. SoamesThe Yorkshire air museum is a commercial enterprise situated on its own land adjacent to RAF Elvington. The museum is one of a number of civil organisations to whom my Department has licensed casual use of RAF Elvington both before and since its closure in 1992 as a relief landing ground. Subject to former owner obligations, it is therefore planned to dispose of it in the best interests of the taxpayer by offering it for sale on the open market, at which time the Yorkshire air museum and others will have an opportunity to bid for it. It is, however, our intention to continue to make the airfield available for casual use for as long as practicable before sale.