§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of RAF VIP and communications flying.
§ Mr. RifkindFollowing the efficiency scrutiny undertaken last year, it has been decided that the Queen's flight, currently based at RAF Benson, will move to RAF Northolt to join the other RAF communications aircraft of No. 32 Squadron. Rationalisation into a single collocated unit, which will be known as 32 (The Royal) Squadron, will enable the RAF to continue to provide a flexible and cost-effective service to the royal family and the other VIP customers. The high standards associated with the Queen's Flight will be fully maintained. The new arrangements will include a new centralised tasking and monitoring organisation to ensure best use of all the assets available.
The bulk of the use made by the royal family of the Queen's flight is for national, ceremonial and other public duties where the cost falls to the MOD. Private use of the Queen's flight at MOD expense has been restricted to the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen Mother, and the Prince and Princess of Wales. Such use has been minimal. However, Her Majesty has indicated a wish in future that the MOD should be reimbursed for this use, and arrangements are being made accordingly.
Long-range VIP flying will for the time being continue to be undertaken by the RAF's VC10 fleet. However, the possibility of using an RAF Tristar remains under consideration.