HC Deb 05 November 1996 vol 284 cc410-1W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which British bases are occupied by United States visiting forces; how many United States personnel are stationed at each; for what reasons sites used by United States visiting forces are designated as RAF stations; when and by whom this decision was taken; what parliamentary scrutiny of this decision has taken place; and if he will make a statement. [2155]

Mr. Soames

United States visiting forces are present at the following bases. Numbers of personnel at each base are shown in brackets.

  • RAF Alconbury/RAF Molesworth/RAF Upwood: (1,365)
  • RAF Croughton/RAF Barford St. John: (530)
  • RAF Daws Hill/RAF High Wycombe/RAF West Ruislip: (600)
  • RAF Digby: (15)
  • RAF Edzell: (280)
  • RAF Fairford/RAF Welford: (180)
  • RAF Fylingdales: (1)
  • RAF Hythe: (5)
  • RAF Lakenheath/RAF Feltwell: (5,330)
  • RAF Menwith Hill: (1,200)
  • RAF Mildenhall: (4,450)
  • RAF Northwood: (10)
  • RAF Oakhanger: (1)
  • RAF Spadeadam: (5)
  • RAF St. Mawgan: (320)
  • RAF Uxbridge: (15)

The American presence is chiefly Air Force and as the sites are parented by the RAF they are designated as RAF stations. Parliament has the same opportunity to scrutinise this as with any other administrative decision.