HC Deb 11 June 1981 vol 6 cc195-6W
Mr. Bill Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) officers at present holding active posts have served for over 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years and 30 years, respectively.

Mr. Goodhart

2,783 RAFVR(T) officers held active posts on 1 April 1981.

To provide the further information in the form requested would involve checking manually nearly 3,000 record cards.

Mr. Bill Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) branch officers who have held appointments as commanding officers of volunteer gliding schools and are presently holding appointments at volunteer gliding schools have served for over 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 25 years and 30 years, respectively.

Mr. Goodhart

Six RAFVR(T) officers currently hold appointments at volunteer gliding schools who previously held appointments as commanding officers of gliding schools. Their service is as follows:

10–15 years —
15–20 years 3
20–25 years —
25–30 years 2
Over 30 years 1

Mr. Bill Walker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present rate of pay for Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) branch officers for Saturday and Sunday duty at volunteer gliding schools; and what is the present rate of expenses paid to these officers for Saturday and Sunday duty.

Mr. Goodhart

Officers of the RAFVR(T) attending for Saturday and Sunday duty at gliding schools do not normally qualify for pay. They may claim an expense allowance to recompense for the cost of meals taken of necessity away from home because of air cadet duty, provided that the period of duty, including travelling time, is five hours or more. In addition they may be refunded the cost of necessary travel between the normal place of residence and the gliding school subject to a maximum of four return journeys per week and in the case of those who use privately owned motor vehicles, subject to a maximum of 60 miles per return journey. The rates are as followsa. Expense allowance

  1. (i) Where a Service mess is available … £1.30 a day
  2. (ii) Where a Service mess is not available … £4.20 a day
b. Travel Costs
  1. (i) Public transport …refund of actual fares
  2. (ii) Privately owned motor vehicles … 8.9 pence per mile