HC Deb 23 May 1991 vol 191 cc608-9W
Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to awarding contracts to private firms for the provision of Royal Air Force maintenance training.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Some 300 Royal Air Force maintenance training courses have been put out to contract. We will continue to seek opportunities to extend this practice where it is cost-effective to do so.

Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to awarding contracts to private firms for the provision of basic Royal Air Force flying training.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The RAF has already embarked on major contractorisation at its flying training stations, at this stage concentrating on engineering, supply and domestic tasks which directly support flying training. A similar approach has been adopted with university air squadrons and air experience flights which provide a major source of trainee pilots for the RAF. We are currently examining the potential for contracting out the elementary flying task.

Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to awarding contracts to private firms for the provision of Royal Air Force apprentice training.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Following a fundamental review of training in 1989, it has been decided to discontinue Royal Air Force apprentice training and the last tranche of service apprentices will graduate in July 1993. This will not affect the training of civilian apprentices by the Royal Air Force civilian technical training schools (CTTS). Some 50 per cent. of their training will, as at present, continue to be provided through local technical colleges and colleges of further education.