HC Deb 22 November 1995 vol 267 cc178-9W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the additional cost to the defence budget, other than direct payments to the Canadian authorities, of training Tornado crews at Canadian forces base, Goose Bay in each year since 1990. [1310]

Mr. Soames

The total costs in £millions of running the RAF unit at CFB Goose Bay since 1991 are in the table. Figures for 1990 are not readily available.

Year RAF unit running cost
1991–92 2.096
1992–93 2.456
1993–94 3.103
1994–95 3.453
1995–96 3.292

Any other costs to the defence budget, other than direct payments to the Canadian authorities, are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what payments have been made to the United States and Canadian authorities for Royal Air Force use of training facilities centred on(a) Nellis air force base, Nevada, (b) Cold Lake, Alberta and (c) Eielson air force base, Alaska, in each year since 1990. [1309]

Mr. Soames

Payments to the United States authorities for use of training facilities at Nellis air force base, Nevada and Eielson air force base, Alaska are as follows:

Nellis Eielson
$ $
FY 1991–92 25,000.00 —
FY 1992–93 111,684.65 143,175.75
FY 1993–941 365,609.92 354,308.33
FY 1994–951 462,127.82 907,402.00
FY 1995–961 130,441.85 417,011.43
1 Because of US billing procedures, the accounts for these years remain open and further payments may be made against them.

The figures for 1990–91 are no longer available for either of the US locations, nor are the 1991–92 figures for Eielson air force base. No payments have been made to the Canadian authorities for use of training facilities at Cold Lake, Alberta.