§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the costs of supporting flag officer sea training at Plymouth rather than at Portland; if he will estimate(a) the training days to be provided this year compared to the last full year at Portland and (b) the number of Sootax helicopter flights in support of flag officer sea training at Portland; what was the original estimate for helicopter flights from Plymouth airport and what number are actually being made from Plymouth airport; how many staff were originally estimated to be needed at Plymouth and how many are now assessed as being needed; and what is the latest estimate of the cost of closure of Portland naval base, transfer of flag officer sea training and of setting up flag officer sea training in Plymouth. [31767]
§ Mr. SoamesThe Royal Navy's operational sea training organisation enjoys a worldwide reputation for its excellent and cost-effective training.
During the period July 1994 to July 1995—the last full year at Portland—225 training days were achieved by flag officer sea training; the estimate for the 12-month period to July 1996—the first year at Plymouth—is 235 training 205W days. In the final year at Portland there were 547 planned Sootax helicopter sorties of which 483 were achieved; for the period July 1995 to April 1996 839 sorties were planned and 816 achieved at Plymouth. Activity levels at Plymouth have been higher than originally estimated, because of increased demand for sea training and other operational reasons.
In 1993 it was estimated that 230 personnel, service and civilian, would be needed to run the FOST operation in Plymouth. However, training is now being successfully achieved with a complement of 202.
The present estimate for the cost of closing Portland and moving FOST to Plymouth is some £10.4 million.