To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the proposed temporary barriers at Kenley Common to be (a) erected and (b) removed. (275216)

Erection of the temporary safety barriers at Kenley airfield will take place during May 2009 at a date to be arranged with the supplier of the fencing. Removal of the safety barriers will depend on the results of the trial of this safety measure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much funding he has allocated for the erection and removal of the temporary steel barriers proposed at Kenley Common; and whether provision has been made for such allocation in his Department’s existing budget. (275217)

An allocation of £12,000 was made in the 2008-09 Air Cadets Organisations budget to cover the cost of purchase, delivery and siting of the temporary pedestrian safety barriers on the MOD airfield at Kenley. Removal of the barriers would incur no cost to the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with (a) Croydon Council, (b) Tandridge District Council, (c) the City of London and (d) users of Kenley Common on his Department’s plans to erect temporary fencing at the Common. (275218)

The Department’s proposal for the erection of temporary safety barriers around Kenley airfield was raised with Croydon council and the Corporation of London at a safety working group meeting on 9 December 2008.

In view of ongoing safety concerns and with the full endorsement of the Health and Safety Executive, the Department’s intent to proceed with the erection of the safety barriers at the points from which gliders are launched was notified to Croydon council on 1 April 2009.

No discussions have been held with Tandridge district council since the planned location for the barriers does not fall within their boundaries.

No separate discussions have been held with users of Kenley Common.