Sir David Amess – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Sir David Amess on 2016-04-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department’s Written Statement of 10 March 2016, HCWS605, on Air Cadet Aviation Re-launch, whether a decision has been taken to close MDP Wethersfield airfield; and if he will make an assessment of the potential contribution of that facility to supporting 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron operations in the future.

Mr Julian Brazier

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Mark Lancaster) on 24 March (Official Report, column 75WS) which confirmed the release of MOD Wethersfield. It is intended that the site will close before this Parliament ends in 2020.

All units based at the site, including 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, will be provided for elsewhere.

Work to identify the potential future location for these units will be completed later this year.