HC Deb 25 March 1970 vol 798 cc418-9W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what, for the longest convenient stated period of time, was the number of visits arranged by his Department for Members of Parliament to visit British forces in the British Army of the Rhine; whether such Members were allowed freedom to travel wherever they wished in areas under his control; who paid for these visits; whether they came within his Department's category of private visits; and why the proposed visit in April is so described by his Department.

Mr. Hattersley

Since 1960 six group Parliamentary visits to the British Forces Germany have taken place and a further three to the Second Tactical Air Force only. The programmes for these visits have in recent years been drawn up following consultation with the members concerned. The extra cost of the visits was met partly from public funds, and partly from the non-public funds of those Service messes at which the visitors were entertained. For the reasons given in my answer to a similar Question put on 18th March, 1970 by my hon. Friend the Member for Loughborough (Mr. Cronin), Members participating in these visits, including that proposed for next month, have always been regarded as guests of the Services. They make the visits in their personal capacity; this will be made clear in the forthcoming Press release about the April visit.—[Vol. 798, c.142.]

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why, in the case of the impending visit of eight Members of Parliament and two peers to Germany to see the British Army of the Rhine, with the use of Royal Air Force aircraft and other military transport and official facilities, he is issuing a Press notice that this is a private visit; and whether his Department intends to provide insurance cover in the event of an accident.

Mr. Hattersley

The notice will not refer to a private visit. The answer to the second part of the Question is No; but in the event of an accident while travelling in R.A.F. aircraft, causing injury or death, my Ministry will accept liability under the provisions of the Carriage by Air Acts 1961 and 1962. This is the normal practice when civilians are carried for whatever purpose as passengers in Crown aircraft.