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3 DECEMBER 1969
Africa, whether for external or internal policies, invariably strengthens that régime which many of us find reprehen- sible? Will he further explain to hon. Members opposite that in making the Buccaneer in the constituency of the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) manufacturers are already hard-pressed to find sufficient men to fulfil obligations to the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy and-
Mr. Speaker: Order. Questions must be reasonably brief.
Mr. Morris: All relevant factors were fully considered and explained to the House on 18th December, 1967, when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minis- ter stated that after examination of the problems the Government decided that their policy of adhering to the United Nations resolution remained unchanged.
Mr. Goodhew: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the very unsatis factory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.
Hong Kong (Helicopters) * 29. Mr. Robert Howarth asked the Secretary of State for Defence, how many helicopters the Royal Air Force has at Hong Kong; what is their age and ser- viceability rate; and what proposals he has for replacing them, and when.
Mr. John Morris: The Royal Air Force has one squadron of Whirlwind Mark 10 helicopters permanently stationed in Hong Kong. It is not cus- tomary to disclose the size and opera- tional capabilities of front-line units. There are no plans at present to replace the helicopters with another type.
Mr. Howarth: Is my hon. Friend aware that it is well known that these are very old helicopters and the R.A.F. has great difficulty in keeping them flying regularly? Will he look at this again with a view to replacing them very quickly?
Mr. Morris I shall certainly take into account the comment of my hon. Friend, who, I understand, has been out to Hong Kong. Apart from difficul- ties of serviceability at some time this year, I am not aware of general dissatis- faction with these helicopters.
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Mr. Wiggin: Will the hon. Gentlemaa confirm the extremely useful rôle which helicopters can play in an internal security theatre? Will he take action to see that these helicopters are brought up- to-date as soon as possible?
Mr. Morris: Yes, Sir. Helicopters per- form a very useful rôle in the operations in Hong Kong.
Duke of York's Royal Military School, Dover
34. Sir Ian Orr-Ewing asked the Secre- tary of State for Defence what is the annual cost of maintaining the Duke of York's Royal Military School, Dover; and on which Vote the cost falls.
Mr. Richard: Staff salaries and wages are about £170,000 annually. No separate record is kept of other running costs. Expenditure is borne on normal Defence and M.P.B.W. Votes.
Sir Ian Orr-Ewing: Is the hon. Gentle- man aware that it now appears that something over 80 per cent. from this school do not join the armed forces? Is it realistic to put the cost of this school, which is approximately the equivalent of maintaining a single army battalion, on to the Defence Vote now that there is a civilian headmaster and the great majority of the school
is entirely
civilianised?
Mr. Richard: As the hon. Member will know, the object of the school is not to produce recruits for the Regular Army. It was originally provided to provide care and training for orphaned sons and daughters of regular soldiers of the British Army. It has a very fine record. Although in principle I am in favour of removing all such expenditure from the Defence Vote as quickly as possible, in all the circumstances I do not think that possible in this case.
Army Recruitment
36. Mr. Allason asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a state- ment on the figures for re-engagement in the Army.
Mr. Richard: The prolongation rate for men who originally enlisted on a 6- year engagement was 50 per cent. in the last financial year. This compares with.
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.51
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