HL Deb 22 July 1985 vol 466 c1088WA
The Earl of Selkirk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether further enhancements to the RAF's reserve and auxiliary forces are under consideration.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces (Lord Trefgarne)

I am pleased to announce a trial scheme to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of recruiting RAF volunteer reservists to serve as aircrew in regular RAF squadrons. The trial, which will start next April and last for two years, will offer volunteer reservists the opportunity to fill certain rear-crew positions in the Nimrod Maritime Reconnaissance force and to provide a complete VC.10 transport crew. Eleven volunteer reservists will be recruited for the trial, including two pilots. The cost will amount to some £350K over the two-year period.