To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future use of Burtonwood air base and his Department's surrounding land; and if he will make a statement.

We are currently considering alternative defence uses for RAF Burtonwood once it is vacated by the United States army later this year and hope to take a decision on the site's future as soon as possible. In parallel we are discussing prospects for the site's development with the local authority should it be declared surplus to defence requirements; in this context a planning application for development of some of the land surrounding the main site has recently been submitted to Warrington borough council.