Training Establishments, Scotland

HC Deb 25 May 1960 vol 624 cc424-5

14. Mr. McInnes

asked the Secretary of State for Air what proportion of the Royal Air Force's training establishments is based in Scotland.

Mr. W. J. Taylor

One of our 56 air and ground training units is in Scotland, as well as 4 of our 17 University Air Squadrons.

Mr. McInnes

Can the hon. Gentleman give any reason why there ought not to be greater concentration in Scotland than there is? If there is any other reason than the strategical reason why Scotland is not getting a fair proportion, I should like to know what it is.

Mr. Taylor

I have already given the reasons in Answers to previous Questions. We are, in general, contracting and concentrating our training organisation and there is no spare station in Scotland with permanent accommodation. I am afraid we just cannot undertake to spend millions of pounds extra on building new stations in Scotland when we can house units much more cheaply in existing stations in England.