Battle of Britain

HC Deb 24 January 2000 vol 343 c67W

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding he will make available for the maintenance of the RAF Battle of Britain Chapel and the associated Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [106030]

Mr. Kilfoyle

Financial provision for the maintenance of the RAF Battle of Britain Chapel and its enclave is some £20–£30,000 annually. As regards the glass fibre replica Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft, it is currently Royal Air Force policy that no public funds should be spent on maintaining such display aircraft, commonly referred to as "Gate Guardians". Funding for the recent refurbishment of the Hurricane was raised privately. Similar funding for the Spitfire is in the process of being raised.