§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 26 January, Official Report, c. 326, what has been the degree of reductions in authorised flying hours in the Royal Air Force; and to squadrons equipped with what types of aircraft these reductions have applied.
§ Mr. WigginThe reductions apply to fast jet, maritime patrol, tanker, and transport aircraft, and to helicopters. It would not be in the national interest to give further details.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the minimum flying rates which the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation lays down for operational aircrew, referred to in his answer of 26 January, Official Report, c. 326.
§ Mr. WigginNo, for reasons of security.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the temporary reductions in authorised flying hours for Royal Air Force aircrew, referred to in his answer of 26 January, Official Report, c. 326, to be ended.
§ Mr. WigginAs soon as we can afford to do so.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 26 January, Official Report, c. 326, whether he will now include the information on the savings expected from the temporary reductions in flying hours for Royal Air Force aircrew.
§ Mr. WigginWe expect that expenditure on fuel alone in the financial year 1981–82 will be some £25 million less than it would have been if there had been no restrictions. There will be a rather smaller reduction in expenditure on overhaul and repair.
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§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last 10 years reductions in Royal Air Force flying hours have been made in order to save money.
§ Mr. WigginReductions in flying hours in order to restrain expenditure were first made in the latter part of 1980. Some form of restriction has been in force ever since.