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Restormel: MINISTER SUGGESTS RAF ST.MAWGAN MAY BE CLOSED COMPLETELY

A Defence Minister’s “muddled answer� over the decision to base the new Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) at RAF St. Mawgan, or not, suggests both RAF and civilian operations could be shut down, Truro and St Austell MP Matthew Taylor has warned.

Mr Taylor’s comments came after he questioned the Minister in Parliament today on what impact the new aircraft would have on civilian flights from Newquay Airport. It had been hoped that basing the JCA at St. Mawgan would secure the running of civilian aircraft operations. However, RAF officials have warned the huge noise level of the aircraft (twice that of existing fighters) would force all passengers to wear ear protection, or even make civilian flights impossible.

Mr Taylor asked the Minister to clarify – but instead the Minister incorrectly claimed the County Council had opposed the JCA coming to Newquay, and suggested the RAF might close St. Mawgan altogether if it does not.

Commenting, Mr Taylor said afterwards:

“The Minister is in a muddle. The question I asked is whether the new fighter aircraft will help keep Newquay Airport open – or shut it down completely. The RAF told the County Council that the new fighter could make civilian air operations at Newquay impossible, so councillors rightly asked for clarification before supporting it coming here – yet we get no answer. Worse, the Minister seemed to suggest today that without the new fighter, the RAF may close St. Mawgan altogether, equally threatening Newquay Airport which relies on RAF services. Either way we face losing civilian flights from Newquay, which are so vital to many Cornish businesses.

“The Minister ducked the question, but how can he expect us to welcome the new fighter to Cornwall without knowing if it may shut down Newquay Airport, and so close many other Cornish businesses? The Minister can’t expect support until we know the answer – do the Government plans effectively shut down Newquay Airport whether the fighter comes here or not?�