Written question asked by David Lidington (Conservative) on Monday, 8 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 September 2003. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Thursday, 11 September 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the additional number of flights that will take place from RAF Halton as a result of the relocation of (a) the Joint Services Adventurous Training (Gliding) and (b) the Royal Air Force Gliding and Soaring Association centres. - Including figures.

Answer: Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the additional number of flights that will take place from RAF Halton as a result of the relocation of (a) the Joint Services Adventurous Training (Gliding) and (b) the Royal Air Force Gliding and Soaring Association centres. [129233] Mr. Caplin: The Joint Services Adventurous Training (Gliding) unit is tasked by the Ministry of Defence sponsor with providing places on its courses which will result in a maximum of 4,800 launches per year. Until the closure of the RAF Gliding and Soaring Association Club at Bicester, it will not be clear how many of its members will join the Association's Club at RAF Halton. It is possible that the increased membership could double the level of activity undertaken by the Chiltern Gliding Club at RAF Halton to approximately 8,000 launches, which would return it to that undertaken eight years ago, however, it may be fewer than that.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 129233; 410 c376W;410 c416W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Air force Location Gliding Royal Air Force Gliding and Soaring Association RAF Halton
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk