§ Mr. MarlowTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consider introducing a system of income-generating fitness enhancing courses of up to four weeks' duration for civilian executives and others, run by the services and financed by the private sector; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 4 February 1988]: There are at present no plans for such a system which would not be an appropriate use for Defence manpower. I would be happy, however, to consult private sector companies involved in the provision of fitness training in order to establish what advice and facilities, if any, they believe the armed forces might have to offer in this field. I should also emphasise that personnel regularly leave the services with experience in both fitness and adventurous training activities. The service resettlement branches would be pleased to hear from civilian organisations which may wish to avail themselves of the skills which these personnel have acquired during their service.