§ Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence why two air defence training squadrons of the Royal Air Force are to be merged and when; and what will be the designation of the single unit formed as a result of the merger.
§ Mr. PattieThe planned amalgamation of Nos. 100 and 7 Squadrons, currently located at RAF Marham and St. Mawgan respectively, follows a review of the future of the entire RAF Canberra fleet. This took account of the operational viability, training value and cost effectiveness of this ageing force. The amalgamation is planned to be complete by the end of 1981. The designation of the new unit has not yet been decided.