HC Deb 23 October 1961 vol 646 cc27-8W
Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the policy governing invitations to officers of political organisations to give the signal for the start of training flights at Royal Air Force stations.

Mr. J. Amery

Invitations of this kind would be given to individuals in their capacity as guests of a Royal Air Force station and not as officers of political organisations.

Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the President of the Lincolnshire Branch of the Institute of Directors was allowed, in the presence of the Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Bomber Group and other senior officers, to give the signal for the start of a scramble of Vulcan bombers at the Royal Air Force station, Waddington, Lincoln, on Friday, 6th October; and whether similar facilities will be given to the presidents of the Lincolnshire branches of other institutes and organisations.

Mr. J. Amery

A party from the Lincolnshire Branch of the Institute of Directors led by the Duke of Rutland visited Royal Air Force, Waddington, to see the day-to-day activities of a typical bomber station. One of the things they saw was a practice "scramble" of V-bombers which, as a matter of courtesy, the Duke, who was the senior guest, was invited to start. The same privilege would be, and has been, given in similar circumstances to other guests.

Forward to