§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent agreement between his Department and the Horizon consortium to market spare training capacity in the RAF/Training Group Defence Agency. [1594]
§ Mr. IngramThe RAF has identified some unavoidable surplus training capacity, particularly in the area of engineering training. Although the RAF has had some success in selling this capacity, it was recognised that it does not have the necessary skills to market, promote and sell opportunities presented by the spare capacity. To maximise both the potential use of the capacity and income generation, the RAF has sought a commercial partner to provide the expertise required.
The Agreement for the Marketing Partnering Arrangement between the RAF and the Horizon consortium, consisting of BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Westland Augusta, PERA and Bournemouth and Poole College, was signed on 30 May 2001. The agreement is for seven years.
In addition to increasing the income received from selling training capacity, the partnership will help to meet the increasing aerospace industry demand for technician training.