HC Deb 18 May 1992 vol 208 cc38-40W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what financial contribution will be made by the United States naval facility at Brawdy to(a) estate and property management costs and (b) security by RAF personnel when flight training ends at RAF Brawdy, in financial years 1992–93 and 1993–94;

(2) what was the financial contribution made by the United States Government towards the United States naval facility at Brawdy for (a) property and estate management and (b) security in financial years 1990–91, 1991–92 and the current financial year.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The United States naval facility at RAF Brawdy is subject to a bilateral agreement between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States, the details of which are confidential.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimate of the total annual net pay of RAF personnel that will be based at RAF Brawdy after flight training ends in the financial year 1993–94.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The total gross annual pay of RAF service personnel at RAF Brawdy in 1993–94 will be approximately £2.5 million. Net pay is estimated to be about 30 per cent. less. A precise net figure could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to representatives of his Department's meeting with consultants Conran Roche or members of the task force set up by the Secretary of State for Wales to discuss alternative uses, within his Department, for RAF Brawdy and RNAD Trecwn.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Ministry of Defence has been represented on the west Wales task force since its inception. Officials have already met with Conran Roche, and will do so again as necessary in the future.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the estimate of total saving to his Department's budget by ending flight training at RAF Brawdy in the financial years of 1992–93 and 1993–94;

(2) what will be the saving to his Department's budget in property and estate management costs by ending flight training at RAF Brawdy in the financial years 1992–93 and 1993–94;

(3) what will be the saving to his Department's budget in base security costs when flight training ceases at RAF Brawdy in financial years 1992–93 and 1993–94;

(4) what will be the saving to his Department's budget in service personnel costs by ending flight training at RAF Brawdy for financial years 1992–93 and 1993–94.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Ending flying training at RAF Brawdy will save an average of £2 million a year over a 10-year period.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total monthly net pay for all RAF personnel currently based at RAF Brawdy.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The total gross pay for all RAF personnel at RAF Brawdy was £977,373 for the month of March 1992. Net pay would have been about 30 per cent. less. A precise net figure could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of those service personnel presently employed at RAF Brawdy will be made redundant when flight training ceases at RAF Brawdy.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

No service personnel presently employed at RAF Brawdy will be made redundant as a result of the cessation of flying training.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total expenditure on local contracts and purchases by RAF Brawdy in financial years 1990–91 and 1991–92; and what are the estimates for 1992–93 and 1993–94.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

For 1990–91 total expenditure on local contracts and purchases is estimated at approximately £340,000 and for 1991–92 approximately £290,000. Figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94 are not available but are expected to commensurate with the planned rundown.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF service personnel will be transferred from RAF Brawdy when it ceases flight training activities; how many of them will go to other flight training bases; and how many of them will go to duties other than those connected with flight training bases.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

When all activities related to flying training have ceased some 560 RAF personnel will be progressively transferred from RAF Brawdy. It is not yet possible to say how many will go to flying training stations or how many will go to other duties as this will depend on service requirements, individual preference and career development.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what studies are taking place by his Department's officials into alternative uses for RAF Brawdy and RNAD Trecwn; what plans he has for these to involve representatives of the Secretary of State for Wales's task force; and when the report will be published;

(2) what investigations were made by his Department into alternative uses within his Department for RAF Brawdy before the announcement that flight training would end there.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Although flying training at RAF Brawdy is to cease this year the station will remain open. Studies have taken place into alternative defence activities that could be accommodated at the station. None has arisen. My Department is still investigating possible defence uses for RNAD Trecwn, failing which the site will be offered to other Government Departments. Officials of my Department are taking part in the consideration of other uses currently being undertaken by the west Wales task force set up by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total annual net pay for all RAF personnel based at RAF Brawdy in the financial years 1991–92 and 1990–91.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The total gross pay for all RAF personnel based at RAF Brawdy was £9.9 million in 1990–91 and £11.3 million in 1991–92. Total net pay was about 30 per cent. less. A precise net figure could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

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