§ 14. Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will pay an official visit to RAF Boulmer.
§ Mr. WellbelovedMy right hon. Friend has no plans to do so at present.
§ Mr. BeithDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that if he had made that visit today or in recent weeks he would have 1169 found keen interest in the statement that we all await on Services pay? Does he recognise that it will not be simply what is done to restore the lost comparability that is important but what guarantees can be given that comparability will be maintained in the future? Does he also recognise that increased accommodation costs bear very heavily on those who have very little freedom of choice about where they live, because of their work?
§ Mr. WellbelovedI am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not expect me to anticipate the statement that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be making today. There are many other aspects affecting RAF Boulmer and other RAF stations, apart from pay and problems of that nature, such as insulation of property and trying to deal with the heating costs, about which the hon. Gentleman has written to me on a number of occasions. I appreciate his help and the efforts he has made on behalf of his RAF constituents.