PROPOSED CLOSURE OF RAF COTTESMORE

That this House regrets the Ministry of Defence's decision to close RAF Cottesmore, home to the Harrier Force as part of changes to the defence programme announced in December 2009; notes the decision pre-empts the Government's prior pledge to consider the capabilities and configuration of the armed forces as part of a Strategic Defence Review; expresses concern at the considerable impact the closure of RAF Cottesmore will have on the community in Rutland; and calls on the Government to postpone the closure of RAF Cottesmore until the conclusion of the Strategic Defence Review.