HC Deb 12 March 1996 vol 273 cc505-6W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current number and aircraft type flown by 32 Squadron, the Royal Squadron; and if he will list by rank the number of personnel currently attached to the squadron. [19816]

Mr. Soames

Number 32 (the Royal) Squadron is comprised of the following aircraft:

Aircraft type Number
BAe 146 100 Series 3
BAe 125 700 Series 6
BAe 125 600 Series 11
Wessex HCC Mk 4 2
Gazelle HT MK3 22
1 +1 in use reserve.
2 +2 in use reserve.

The Gazelle helicopters will shortly be replaced by two contractor owned-military operated Twin Squirrel AS 355 F1 helicopters.

The following personnel are assigned to the squadron:

Rank Number
Wing Commander 1
Squadron Leader 18
Lieutenant Commander (RN) 2
Flight Lieutenant 29
Master Air Crew 2
Sergeant 10
Corporal 18
Senior Aircraftsman 18

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the members of the royal family who are entitled to use flights on(a) official and (b) private travel in aircraft of 32 squadron, the Royal Squadron. [19774]

Mr. Soames

Members of the royal family are entitled to make flights in aircraft of No. 32 (the Royal) Squadron as follows

  • (a) Official travel
  • The Queen
  • The Duke of Edinburgh
  • The Queen Mother
  • The Prince of Wales
  • The Princess of Wales
  • The Duke of York
  • The Prince Edward
  • The Princess Royal
  • The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
  • Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester
  • The Duke of Gloucester
  • The Duke of Kent
  • The Duchess of Kent
  • Prince Michael of Kent
    • 506
  • Princess Michael of Kent
  • Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy
  • (b) Private travel
  • The Queen
  • The Duke of Edinburgh
  • The Queen Mother
  • The Prince of Wales
  • The Princess of Wales

Members of the royal family are entitled to use aircraft of the No. 32 (the Royal) Squadron at the discretion of Her Majesty the Queen.

In accordance with the wishes of Her Majesty the Queen, arrangements agreed by my right hon. and learned Friend, the then Secretary of State for Defence, were introduced on 1 April 1995 under which the costs of private flights in aircraft of No. 32 (the Royal) Squadron by members of the royal family would be reimbursed to the MOD.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in order of precedence those members of the royal family who may request a flight by 32 Squadron, the Royal Squadron, to be charged to the privy purse; and if he will make a statement. [19635]

Mr. Soames

My Department meets the costs of all official travel in aircraft of No. 32 (the Royal) Squadron by entitled members of the royal family. Since the introduction of arrangements on 1 April 1995, costs for the private use of No. 32 (the Royal) Squadron by the five entitled members of the royal family are met from their private funds. The sources of private funds used to pay for such private travel is a matter for the royal households.