To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on funding for (a) Air Training Corps sites and (b) the Air Training Corps site in Baginton, Coventry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on funding for (a) Air Training Corps sites and (b) the Air Training Corps site in Baginton, Coventry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that the 296 Stoke Newington Air Training Corps will be relocated following the closure of the site on the Albion Road.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that the 296 Stoke Newington Air Training Corps will be relocated following the closure of the site on the Albion Road.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to encourage young people to join local Air Training Corps; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to encourage young people to join local Air Training Corps; and if he will make a statement.

I am delighted to answer a question from the distinguished president of that squadron. Nearly two years ago, all gliding had to be suspended for safety reasons. We have been unable to find a contractor who could credibly take on the repair of the Vigilants, but the Vikings are all on their way up, together with a very small number of Vigilants. By 2018 we will be delivering a full programme of gliding, with an enhanced level of powered flying with more Grob Tutors, and that will start this summer.

I am delighted to answer a question from the distinguished president of that squadron. Nearly two years ago, all gliding had to be suspended for safety reasons. We have been unable to find a contractor who could credibly take on the repair of the Vigilants, but the Vikings are all on their way up, together with a very small number of Vigilants. By 2018 we will be delivering a full programme of gliding, with an enhanced level of powered flying with more Grob Tutors, and that will start this summer.

Last week, the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr Brazier), responded to a debate in Westminster Hall secured by our hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch and Upminster (Dame Angela Watkinson) on air cadet training facilities. In Southend, 1312 Air Training Corps uses the facilities for gliding in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (James Cleverly). Will the Under-Secretary of State make sure that those facilities are still made available to our cadets?

Last week, the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr Brazier), responded to a debate in Westminster Hall secured by our hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch and Upminster (Dame Angela Watkinson) on air cadet training facilities. In Southend, 1312 Air Training Corps uses the facilities for gliding in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (James Cleverly). Will the Under-Secretary of State make sure that those facilities are still made available to our cadets?

Wethersfield, the facility to which my hon. Friend is referring, has been identified for disposal, and the new site is yet to be selected. However, I can reassure him that we are strongly committed to gliding, and 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, when it moves from Wethersfield, will expand into its new role as a regional hub. Our immediate priority is to get cadets back flying again, after a gap of about two years. That will start again this year, and should be fully delivered by 2018.

Wethersfield, the facility to which my hon. Friend is referring, has been identified for disposal, and the new site is yet to be selected. However, I can reassure him that we are strongly committed to gliding, and 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, when it moves from Wethersfield, will expand into its new role as a regional hub. Our immediate priority is to get cadets back flying again, after a gap of about two years. That will start again this year, and should be fully delivered by 2018.

Further to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Southend West (Sir David Amess), the 1206 Air Training Corps squadron in Lichfield is one of the biggest in the west midlands, but it too has been suffering from a lack of glider training provision. What hope can the Minister give my friends and corps members that that training will be resumed?

Further to the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Southend West (Sir David Amess), the 1206 Air Training Corps squadron in Lichfield is one of the biggest in the west midlands, but it too has been suffering from a lack of glider training provision. What hope can the Minister give my friends and corps members that that training will be resumed?

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support air training corps and university air squadrons; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support air training corps and university air squadrons; and if he will make a statement.

I have the great pleasure of announcing to the House that I have just been made president of the (Mercian) Squadron Air Training Corps in Lichfield, which is one of the biggest Air Training Corps in the midlands. Will my right hon. Friend maintain his commitment to the Air Training Corps?

I have the great pleasure of announcing to the House that I have just been made president of the (Mercian) Squadron Air Training Corps in Lichfield, which is one of the biggest Air Training Corps in the midlands. Will my right hon. Friend maintain his commitment to the Air Training Corps?

I congratulate my hon. Friend on that great distinction. Air cadets offer a huge opportunity to young people from a whole range of different backgrounds. The Ministry of Defence provides, and will continue to

provide, support to both the Air Training Corps and the university air squadrons through the provision of high quality flying training and other supporting activities, including access to defence training areas and ranges.

I congratulate my hon. Friend on that great distinction. Air cadets offer a huge opportunity to young people from a whole range of different backgrounds. The Ministry of Defence provides, and will continue to

provide, support to both the Air Training Corps and the university air squadrons through the provision of high quality flying training and other supporting activities, including access to defence training areas and ranges.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Air Training Corps squadrons are in operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Air Training Corps squadrons are in operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2012, Official Report, column 30W, on air training corps: disciplinary proceedings, how many of the outstanding cases from (a) 2010 and (b) 2011 are awaiting (i) reports and (ii) the outcome of investigations by...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2012, Official Report, column 30W, on air training corps: disciplinary proceedings, how many of the outstanding cases from (a) 2010 and (b) 2011 are awaiting (i) reports and (ii) the outcome of investigations by...

(2) how many of the cases outstanding in 2010 and 2011 are awaiting (a) reports and (b) the outcome of investigations by (i) police forces and (ii) auditors and accountants; and if he will make a statement.

(2) how many of the cases outstanding in 2010 and 2011 are awaiting (a) reports and (b) the outcome of investigations by (i) police forces and (ii) auditors and accountants; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 462W, on Air Training Corps, what the conclusion was of the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the senior management structure of the Air Training Corps which was carried out in January...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 462W, on Air Training Corps, what the conclusion was of the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of the senior management structure of the Air Training Corps which was carried out in January...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimate he has made of the time taken to obtain 2/3 star approval of any spending cost over £1,000 by Air Training Corps, broken down by month of application in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and if he will make...

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimate he has made of the time taken to obtain 2/3 star approval of any spending cost over £1,000 by Air Training Corps, broken down by month of application in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and if he will make...

(2) what proportion of applications for approval of spending seeking 2/3 star approval by Air Training Corps was for transport costs of over £1,000 by region in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and if he will make a statement.

(2) what proportion of applications for approval of spending seeking 2/3 star approval by Air Training Corps was for transport costs of over £1,000 by region in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on non-core activities by the Air Training Corps in each region in the last period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on non-core activities by the Air Training Corps in each region in the last period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what average length of time was taken to resolve suspension of an officer of the Air Training Corps in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; how long has been taken on average in 2012; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what average length of time was taken to resolve suspension of an officer of the Air Training Corps in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; how long has been taken on average in 2012; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many people were suspended from duty as an officer of the Air Training Corps in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement;

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many people were suspended from duty as an officer of the Air Training Corps in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement;