§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans the Government have to close or scale down his Department's airfields at(a) Lyneham, (b) Boscombe Down and (c) Brize Norton; and what discussions he has had on the possible closure of these airfields; [71580]
- (2) what proposals he has for the future of RAF Brize Norton; [71577]
- (3) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on his Department's airfields in the south of England. [71579]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 16 February 1999]I have no plans to close or scale down the airfields at Lyneham, Boscombe Down or Brize Norton. RAF Brize Norton remains the RAF's primary strategic air transport and air-to-air refuelling base. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has determined this Government's defence policy and the tasks and roles that need to be carried out in future. These, in turn will determine our requirements, among other things for airfields in the UK. Some SDR 35W measures may have implications for airfields in the South of England, which will be announced and consulted upon in the normal way.