HC Deb 21 February 1978 vol 944 cc1200-1
11. Mr. Stoddart

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to the Defence Vote of the Queen's Flight.

Mr. Wellbeloved

The current estimated cost to the Defence Vote of the Queen's Flight is £1,800,000 a year.

Mr. Stoddart

Does the Queen's Flight add anything to our defence capability? If it does not, would it not be fairer if the expense of this service were added to another Department's Vote or added to the Civil List?

Mr. Wellbeloved

The composition of the Civil List is not for me but for my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. As for the war-time role of the Queen's Flight, it is scheduled to provide communications flying within the United Kingdom for emergency tasks. I am satisfied that it would have a meaningful wartime role.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

What is the proportion of the use of the Queen's Flight by the Royal Family and the use by Her Majesty's Ministers and other subordinates of the Crown?

Mr. Wellbeloved

As the hon. Gentleman no doubt knows, under a longstanding agreement which has been operated by successive Governments certain named Ministers have the right to use the Queen's Flight.

Mr. Churchill

Name them.

Mr. Wellbeloved

They include the Prime Minister and a great many others, including my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.