§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current arrangements for the use of balloons for Army parachute training; what annual costs are involved; what plans he has for the replacement of balloons by aircraft; what savings in costs and reductions in service and civilian numbers are expected; what are the operational implications; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThe RAF Balloon Operations Squadron—BOS—provides support both for initial parachute 633W training at No. 1 Parachute Training School and for continuation training for units of the three services. The squadron's operating costs for financial year 1993–94 were £3,858,000. The BOS is due to be disbanded on 1 April 1995, when its function will be taken over by a contractorised operation using Skyvan aircraft. Substantial savings are expected and there will be a reduction of 78 uniformed posts. As the Skyvan operation will mirror the existing operation, there will be no operational implications arising from this change.