HC Deb 11 February 1997 vol 290 c134
12. Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of RAF Halton. [13726]

Mr. Soames

RAF Halton will continue to be the RAF centre for administrative and support trade training and to provide basic recruit and general service training for the majority of airmen.

Mr. Lidington

Will my hon. Friend congratulate all those involved in the professional transition of the functions of RAF Halton in recent years? Will he bear it in mind that the previous uncertainty about the future of the base has led to a backlog in necessary repairs and refurbishment for single quarters at Halton? Will he review his budget to see how those problems may be tackled as soon as possible?

Mr. Soames

I know that the commanding officer of RAF Halton is grateful to my hon. Friend for his support. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] The right hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair) is another example of the wider youth community.

I have visited RAF Halton and seen the high standard of training that it provides. It is true that the standard of single accommodation is not as good as we would like to see it. The RAF takes its responsibilities for the welfare of its personnel seriously and I assure my hon. Friend that we shall do what we can to smarten the single quarters up.