§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the value of efficiency savings made by(a) the royal yacht and (b) royal squadron in each of the last three years. [16894]
§ Mr. SoamesThe annual running costs of HMY Britannia, excluding repair and refits, have remained broadly constant over the past three years. I refer the hon. Member also to my answer of 9 January 1996 to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe)Official Report, column 96.
Prior to 1 April 1995, royal flying tasks were undertaken by the Queen's Flight, based at RAF Benson. From that date, the flight was incorporated into No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron, tasked with undertaking a full range of communications, VIP and royal flying duties. This change was designed to achieve improvements in cost-effectiveness through better use of aircraft assets and through greater efficiency in support areas. Subsequently, the new arrangements for the funding of royal travel announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16 October 1996 will facilitate further improvements in cost-effectiveness through the closer involvement of the royal household as the customer for the service provided by the squadron for royal tasks.