§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his future plans for Throckmorton airfield. [4105]
§ Dr. MoonieI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 23 April 2001,Official Report, column 89W. The main site, known as DERA Pershore, was transferred on 1 July 2001 to QinetiQ, a wholly Government owned plc formed from 75 per cent. of the former DERA Trading Fund. QinetiQ will be responsible for continuing the Ministry of Defence related uses of the site, as well as taking forward any regeneration of the area in concert with the local and regional authorities.
The part of the airfield used in helping to deal with the consequences of foot and mouth disease is in the process of being transferred to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).