§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the average flying hours for each of the last five years of aircraft used by the royal family. [16886]
§ Mr. SoamesThe total hours flown by the aircraft concerned, covering communications, VIP and royal tasks—plus essential training—are as follows:
Financial year BAe 146 Wessex BAe 125 1992–93 1,769 740 4,645 1993–94 1,781 739 3,993 1994–95 1,440 791 3,511 1995–96 1,448 748 3,657 1996–97 (to 31 December 1996) 1,085 502 2,578
§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to public funds of pre-positioning aircraft of the royal squadron for the private use of a member of the royal family(a) in each of the last five years and (b) for the flight from Nassau to Rock sound in March 1996. [16892]
§ Mr. SoamesThe information requested at(a) is not readily available and could not be produced without incurring disproportionate costs. With respect to (b), there was no cost to public funds associated with pre-positioning as the aircraft was already in Nassau in support of official business.
§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis repayments are calculated for private use of aircraft of the royal squadron. [16888]
§ Mr. SoamesThe basis of the charge for private use of aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron is the marginal cost of operating the aircraft for the particular flight. Where appropriate, a "waiting" charge of £60 per hour is also levied. The only exception to this approach is when a member of the royal family is advised to use an aircraft of No. 32—the royal—squadron for safety or security reasons for a private journey when he or she could otherwise have used a commercial service. In such circumstances, the household in question will be charged the equivalent commercial rate.
718W
§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rules govern whether a journey involving an aeroplane of the royal squadron is official or private. [16887]
§ Mr. SoamesA journey by a member of the royal family involving the use of an aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron is considered to be official if it is undertaken in pursuance of royal duties.
§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the payments made to his Department for private flights in aircraft of the royal squadron by members of the royal family in each of the years 1990 to 1994. [16885]
§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice), of 31 January,Official Report, column 436, relating to royal flights, if he will list the equivalent data for 1995. [16912]
§ Mr. SoamesIn accordance with the wishes of Her Majesty the Queen, the costs of private flights in aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron have been reimbursed to the MOD since 1 April 1995. The information requested for the period 1 April 1995 to 31 December 1995 is as follows:
Date of journey Passenger Route Cost reimbursed £ 1 July 1995 HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Sandringham to Kensington Palace 1,215 1 July 1995 HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Kensington Palace to Sandringham 1,325 1 July 1995 HRH The Prince of Wales Dyce to RAF Northolt 735 1 July 1995 HRH The Prince of Wales Heathrow to Dyce 735 3 September 1995 Her Majesty The Queen Dyce to Teesside 1,558 5 September 1995 Her Majesty The Queen Teesside to Dyce 1,558 10 December 1995 Her Majesty The Queen Blackpool to Northolt 1,186.67