§ Sir Nicholas BonsorTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the most recent annual running costs to his Department of the RAF Vulcan XH558; on how many occasions it has been flown on public display in the last full year; what estimate he has made of the cost of servicing the aircraft to enable it to continue flying; if he has any plans to facilitate the transfer of the RAF Vulcan XH558 aircraft to a public collection; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the state of sale of the Vulcan XH558.
§ Mr. AitkenAnnual running costs for Vulcan XH558 will amount to some £250,000 in financial year 1992–93. The servicing and modification required for the aircraft to continue for a further display season after 1992 would cost at least £2.5 million. The Vulcan performed 30 displays and five flypasts during the 1992 display season. A number of expressions of interest have been received from potential buyers with a view to preserving the aircraft for the future, and I hope that these might result in the aircraft being transferred to a public collection.