Following the debate in the House of Commons last Thursday (15 November 2007) the Hampshire Police extended their deadline for General Aviation to leave Daedalus from 16 November 07 to 14 December 07.
This appeared to give all parties the time to reach agreement on a structured regime for future flying and Peter Viggers called for all those involved to work together to achieve this. In a Parliamentary Question he asked the Transport Minister to appoint a Regulator for Daedalus Airfield as the next step ahead. The full text of the question and answer were as follows:
HOUSE OF COMMONS
WRITTEN PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION
THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2007
Peter Viggers (Gosport)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will appoint a regulator for Daedalus Airfield.
Jim Fitzpatrick (Under Secretary of state for Transport)
Solicitors acting for the Lee Flying Association recently wrote to a number of parties, including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, threatening to bring judicial review proceedings in respect of the decision, which I am informed the Hampshire Police Authority took, to close the former HMS Daedalus to general aviation due to safety concerns. The Hampshire Police have now suspended its decision for 28 days.
The government is currently considering the situation and in the circumstances, it would be inappropriate and premature for me to say any more at this stage.
Peter Viggers commented to-day: “We need the co-operation of all parties if we are to get agreement.
My worry now is that legal action will “drive people into their bunkers” and make them less willing to discuss the way ahead”.
23 November 07 |
