§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the running cost in 2003–04 is of the establishment at Wideawake airport, Ascension Island; and what the estimated budget for the next financial year is. [139101]
§ Mr. CaplinWideawake is a United States airfield and is jointly operated by the US Air Force and the RAF. Excluding the value of assets, the Department's net operating cost budget for RAF Ascension Island in Financial Year 2003–04 is £9,547,243. The equivalent figure presently planned for FY 2004–05 is £8,425,000.