§ 33. Commander Purseyasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty why the V.I.P. helicopter at Lee-on-Solent was flown to the Isle of Wight on the afternoon of 15th June; for how long it was employed; what was the total cost to Government funds of fuel, oil and other expenses; if he will state the names and offices of the civilian passengers; and whether they were insured against all risks by their own or special insurance policies, or signed a statement that, in the event of an accident, they would make no claim on public funds.
§ Mr. HayThe Commanding Officer, Lee-on-Solent, was asked by the Mayor of Gosport on the afternoon of Saturday, 15th June, whether he could be conveyed urgently to the Isle of Wight where his mother-in-law had just been taken seriously ill.
The mayor had tried to get a quick commercial sea passage but without success. The air station, which is normally closed on Saturdays, was, in fact, open on this particular day and the commanding officer agreed to fly the mayor.
The Whirlwind helicopter was employed on this mission for not more than 15 minutes. The cost was about £20. The mayor made it clear that he was prepared to pay. The flight was arranged so urgently that there was no time to issue the ticket which is normally given to civilian passengers, and which makes it clear to them that in the event of any accident they would have no claim on public funds.
§ Commander PurseyHow far is this service available to all civilians and how far, for example, would it be available to ratings who wished to fly by helicopter from Lee-on-Solent to the Isle of Wight under similar conditions? How far is this old school tie business between commanding officers—[Hon. Members: "Oh."]—yes indeed, these services are only available under the old school tie arrangement. How far is this old school tie business between commanding officers, mayors and other authorities carried? Why was this helicopter loaned to Southern Television and why is it used to provide a taxi service between Lee 1333 and H.M.S. "Vernon" when the journey by road transport takes only about half an hour? What control does the Admiralty exercise over helicopters in the naval air service to stop this gross abuse of them?
§ Mr. HayThe hon. Member has sought to put in a supplementary form a number of questions which he has down for Written Answer today. I think that he had better await those Answers. On the main point, our regulations provide that commanding officers of Her Majesty's ships and naval air stations may authorise nights in naval aircraft under their control for Members of Parliament, senior civic dignitaries, representatives of local Press, radio and television services, tutors and schoolmasters of universities, schools and colleges, provided—and I emphasise this—that there is no extra cost to Navy Votes. In respect of this particular journey by the Mayor of Gosport no extra cost will fall on Navy Votes because the mayor agreed—indeed, he agreed before the flight—to pay.