§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what priority is given to adventure training in the armed forces; and what resources are committed to its promotion. [17559]
§ Mr. SoamesThe armed forces have long recognised the great value of adventurous training as a medium for developing qualities such as fitness, self reliance, initiative and endurance. All the services are committed to adventurous training as an integral part of personal and unit training. This was recognised by the House of Commons Defence Committee report in October last year on military training, ninth report.
Full details of the resources committed to adventurous training, much of which is conducted at unit level, could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, as quoted in the HCDC report cited £9.5 million was spent on operating costs for adventurous training centres in the financial year 1993–94, the last period for which this information is available, with 375 staff being employed on adventurous training at these centres.