§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel stationed at RAF St. Mawgan have been subjected to(a) combat survival and rescue training and (b) conduct after capture courses; how many personnel have refused to participate in this training; and what sanctions have been employed to ensure participation. [125200]
§ Mr. SpellarConduct After Capture (CAC) training is an integral element of the current Aircrew Combat Survival Course (ACSC) held at the RAF School of Combat Survival and Rescue at RAF St. Mawgan. Attendance on the course is a mandatory training requirement for all RAF personnel engaged on operational duties that may make them prone to capture or interrogation. Since September 1992, 1,029 students have 453W entered training on the ACSC at RAF St. Mawgan. Of these, five withdrew voluntarily from the practical CAC phase of the training but one returned at a later date to complete the training.
All students on the (CAC) training phase of the course must give their written consent to undergo the training. Prior to participation, all students are made aware of what they will encounter during the training, and they remain at liberty to withdraw from the training at any time, either before participation or during it. Individuals who choose not to undergo the training, or who do not complete the course, will be moved to duties where they would not be prone to capture or interrogation.