§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in attempts to make greater use of reserve forces in the Royal Air Force.
§ Mr. FreemanTrials to evaluate the potential use of Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve aircrew have recently been concluded. The trials have shown that while it is not possible to replace regular crew members on RAF VC10s by means of reservists and the trial is being terminated, there is some scope for Volunteer Reserve air electronics
582Woperators to augment the Nimrod maritime reconnaissance force in time of tension and war. Accordingly, the possibility of developing and expanding this capability is being examined. In addition, a further trial has recently been set in hand to assess the feasibility of using some test pilots and navigators from the commercial sector in a reserve role to provide front-line aircrew in war.
In the case of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, a trial has been carried out to establish the feasibility of recruiting and retaining a dedicated support force (the RAuxAF Support Force). The force adds to our ground defence capability, thus relieving regular uniformed personnel of diversionary tasks. The trial was a considerable success and attracted its full quota of 350 volunteers. We are hoping to build further upon this promising foundation.