HC Deb 30 June 2003 vol 408 cc45-6W
Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list operational military airfields situated within 50 miles of central London. [122173]

Mr. Ingram

Operational military airfields within 50 miles of central London are:

  • RAF Odiham
  • RAF Benson
  • RAF Northolt

Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Answer of 3 June 2003,Official Report, column 292W, on Heathrow, (1) what assessment has been made of the future status of RAF Northolt if flying activity there were to cease; [122166]

(2) what assessment has been made of alternative airfields for military flights within the London area, should flying activity at RAF Northolt be precluded. [122165]

Mr. Ingram

As no decision has yet been made on the possibility of a third runway at Heathrow, it would be

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the order was placed for the supply of desert boots and uniforms prior to the war in Iraq; what quantities were ordered; what the contract price was; when the order was supplied; and what the final cost was. [120730]

Mr. Ingram

Due to the scale of deployment of personnel to Iraq, contracts were placed prior to the commencement of operations to supplement stock already held under planning assumptions. These are shown in the following table. The delivery dates reflect the dates for delivery of the items to the Ministry of Defence's central storage depots in the United Kingdom. I am withholding details of cost in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

premature to assess the future status of RAF Northolt or the alternative airfields that might be available if flying activity were to cease there.

Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the strategic importance of RAF Northolt, with particular reference to military flights. [122167]

Mr. Ingram

RAF Northolt is home to 32 (The Royal) Squadron, part of the Ministry of Defence Communications Fleet, which is established for the support of military and Government communications tasks in times of crisis and war. It provides a rapid and secure method of transport for key personnel in pursuit of urgent defence tasks.