§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what approximate percentage of transport flights was carried out by civilian chartered aircraft during 1974 in total and to Germany, Gibraltar, Malta, Cyprus, the Indian Ocean and Far East, North America and the Caribbean, and elsewhere; and what is expected to be the percentage after the rundown of the RAF transport force.
§ Mr. JohnIn total 21 per cent. of transport flights were carried out by civilian chartered aircraft in the financial year 1974–75. Of transport flights to Germany 181W 43 per cent. were carried out in this way. Elsewhere civilian charter was confined to the carriage of personnel and freight to Australia, the movement of Gurkhas and their families within Nepal and the support and training of certain Army units. These flights do not represent a significant percentage of the transport task. The future pattern of air movement, including the use of civilian chartered aircraft, is currently under review.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts have been let for the charter of civilian aircraft as a result of the rundown in the RAF transport force; and what is expected to be the annual cost of additional charters resulting from the rundown.
§ Mr. JohnA contract has been let with Dan Air for trooping flights between the United Kingdom and Gibraltar. It is not our practice to quote the costs of individual contracts. Final decisions have not yet been taken on the additional charter requirements, if any, resulting from the rundown of the RAF transport force.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent troops were flown overseas for exercises in 1974; and whether it will be possible to maintain a similar level of deployment after the rundown of the RAF transport force.
§ Mr. JohnIn the calendar year 1974 the RAF air transport force was involved in some 217 exercises. These ranged from participation in important NATO exercises to the deployment of minor units overseas on routine training. Included in this figure are exercises mounted by all the three Services not only from the United Kingdom but also from garrisons overseas. The future level of exercise activity is currently under study but there is bound to be some reduction.