HC Deb 28 February 2002 vol 380 cc1463-4W
Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority about the suitability of RAF Lyneham for commercial airline operations. [38527]

Mr. Ingram

No discussions have taken place to date between the Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Defence about the suitability of RAF Lyneham for commercial airline operations, although such discussions will be part of the overall assessment process.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with Richard Branson and executives of Virgin about the commercial future of RAF Brize Norton. [38526]

Mr. Ingram

No discussions have taken place between the Ministry of Defence and Mr. Richard Branson or other executives of Virgin about the commercial future of RAF Brize Norton.

Average tour intervals
Year (April to March) Royal Armoured Corps Royal Artillery Royal Engineers Royal Signals Infantry Royal Logistic Corps1
1966–97 25 21 12 19 21
1997–98 19 36 17 21 22
1998–99 30 19 24 21 27
1999–2000 14 25 13 10 15 30
2000–01 26 42 34 24 22 30
1 Not calculated until 1999–2000.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the report written by Colonel Curran Snagge entitled "The Command Structure in the UK"

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the physical contours of RAF Lyneham conform to the CAA's safety requirements for commercial airline operations. [38528]

Mr. Ingram

RAF Lyneham is regulated by Ministry of Defence safety guidelines and not guidelines set out by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is responsible for civil airfields. However, the hon. Member will wish to be aware that I have directed that the issue of Civil Aviation Authority licensing of the three stations will be addressed as part on the on-going Strategic Review of RAF Lyneham, RAF St Mawgan and RAF Brize Norton.

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