HC Deb 25 July 1978 vol 954 cc1354-5
14. Mr. R. C. Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what action is taken to recover the cost to public funds when the Royal Air Force provides transport and other facilities at the request of the press or other media.

Mr. Wellbeloved

All requests from the press and other media for Royal Air Force transport and facilities are carefully considered. If the balance of advantage of the resulting publicity is assessed to be of benefit to the Service, no charge is made.

Mr. Mitchell

Does that reply mean that on certain occasions we are subsidising the press in matters of transport? Can my hon. Friend tell us what other organisations can have a similar subsidy to that of the press?

Mr. Wellbeloved

It means that where either we initiate or the press requests facilities or transport and where we believe that this will be of benefit in projecting the legitimate and worthwhile image of the Royal Air Force, we grant those facilities without charge. However, in view of my hon. Friend's comments I shall consider the point that he has made about subsidy, because it would be inequitable if one section of the community—namely, the press—were to receive a hidden subsidy of this nature. I shall institute a review of the situation.

Mr. Hooson

Can the Minister tell us how many charges have been levied in the past two or three years?

Mr. Wellbeloved

Very few have been levied. There have been 313 requests for facilities or transport. Most of them have been judged as being of value to the Royal Air Force.