HC Deb 20 January 1994 vol 235 cc823-4W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 January,Official Report, columns 347–48, how many non-MOD personnel are passengers on any of the weekly scheduled flights to Washington, Belize and Decimomannu; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

The number of non-MOD personnel travelling as passengers on the weekly scheduled flights to Washington, Belize and Decimomannu varies in accordance with availability of seats and the demand.

Non-MOD passengers can be grouped into two categories:

  1. Staff employed in support of MOD contracts, and
  2. Staff of other Government Departments.

Figures for the 12 months to October 1993 for return journeys for these two categories are as follows:

(a) Contractors (b) OGDs
Between Brize Norton and Washington 125 361
Between Brize Norton and Decimomannu 9 16
Between Brize Norton and Belize 11 32

In addition, MOD personnel and their dependants are entitled to use empty seats on a fill-up standby basis at a nominal administrative cost to the individual. It is not possible to differentiate between MOD personnel and their dependants without disproportionate cost.