HC Deb 05 March 1996 vol 273 c119W
Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase(a) the size and capacity of RAF Northolt and (b) the number of flights into and out of that airport; and if he will make a statement. [18341]

Mr. Soames

Following the rejection of the proposal to create a civil enclave at RAF Northolt, the Government have consulted further with the business aviation industry to identify working arrangements at RAF Northolt which could improve the service offered to civil users and to business in the south-east more generally. Such arrangements could result in some limited increase in non-MOD use of RAF Northolt, but my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence and my noble Friend Viscount Goschen will of course take into account the views of local communities and other interested parties before any final decisions are made.