§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the figures for 1988–89 for(a) recruits attracted and (b) the cost of the programme (i) per machine or pilot and (ii) per show after displays by the Red Arrows display team.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI regret that the information on recruits is not available. The operating costs of the Red Arrows' flying programme are approximately £13.5 million per annum at 1988–89 prices.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for each of the last 15 years the venues at which the266W Red Arrows have displayed their skills; and if he will make a statement regarding the preliminary list for consideration in December of next year's programme.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI regret that the list of venues could be provided only at disproportionate cost and effort. However, the Red Arrows have given some 1,600 displays since 1975. As regards the 1990 programme, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 3 November at column379.