§ Mr. Peter GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the activities and value of the University of Wales squadron at Royal Air Force, Saint Athan. [26695]
§ Mr. SoamesThe aim of the University of Wales Air Squadron is to encourage air mindedness within the university and to attract entrants of good quality and education into the RAF. The activities of all university air squadrons are pursuant to this aim: generally, a full three-year training syllabus for each individual comprises 99 hours tuition on the Bulldog aircraft.
In the past, the University of Wales air squadron has produced a higher than average number of pilot entrants to the RAF. However, the increased competition for places over the last three years due to the low RAF recruiting targets has resulted in poor recruitment from the squadron during this time.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. member for Linlithgow of 25 May,Official Report, column 158, when he expects to draw conclusions about Gulf war syndrome. [25098]
§ Mr. SoamesInvestigations into the alleged Gulf war syndrome are continuing in the United Kingdom and in North America. To date, no convincing medical or scientific evidence has emerged for a Gulf related syndrome from any of this work.