§ 3. Mr. Pagetasked the Secretary of State for War why it was proposed that 400 Sandhurst cadets should fly to Libya for a fortnight's camp; and why this proposal was cancelled.
§ Mr. RamsdenThis exercise, which was postponed for 24 hours but not cancelled, was held in Libya because the climate there is more suitable for training at this time of year than it is in this country.
§ Mr. PagetCan the hon. Gentleman say what was the cost of flying 400 cadets to Libya? Was the operation fitted in at a time when aircraft would otherwise have been idle so that the cost was not a real cost?
§ Mr. RamsdenThe extra cost arising from air transport costs of holding the exercise in Libya instead of this country was £32,000, which works out at £80 per cadet. The air transport would in normal circumstances have been available on the ordinary routine which we work with my right hon. Friend's Ministry for these purposes.
§ Mr. PagetIf that is a real figure, it sounds a very big one. Is it in fact a real figure, or is the real figure the cost of petrol because the aeroplanes would otherwise have been idle?
§ Mr. RamsdenI think I must have notice of that. Whatever cost there was must be set against the undoubted value of carrying out this exercise, which is the culminating point of a cadet's tactical training at Sandhurst, in an exceptionally favourable locality such as Libya provides.