Asked by: Lord Trefgarne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the decision proposing a third runway at Heathrow, what will be the future of nearby RAF Northolt.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
RAF Northolt remains a core Ministry of Defence (MOD) aerodrome. Current operations at RAF Northolt aerodrome remain unaffected at this time by the announcement of the proposals for a third runway at Heathrow.
However, NATS Holdings (formerly National Air Traffic Services), the air traffic services provider, has advised that the delivery of any new capacity within the London and South East area will require substantial redesign of current airspace structures. The impact on the current levels of operations at other aerodromes in the region such as RAF Northolt will be addressed during the design phase, and the MOD remains a key stakeholder in all Civil Aviation Authority airspace design work.
Asked by: Lord Trefgarne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many Vigilant motorised gliders are presently available for training RAF Cadets and potential aircrews.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
There are currently four Vigilant motorised gliders available for training RAF cadets, and a further four are about to return to service. Air experience opportunities have been afforded to our cadets in the interim. These include flights in other RAF aircraft, as well as opportunities to fly in civilian gliders. Vigilant is not used to train potential regular RAF aircrew.
We recognise how frustrating this has been for our Air Cadets, but safety has got to be our top priority.
Asked by: Lord Trefgarne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many main battle tanks, either serviceable or useable at short notice, are presently available to the British Army.
Answered by Lord Astor of Hever
We do not routinely comment on availability and levels of readiness for individual capabilities as to do so would compromise operational security or disclose information which could be of use to our adversaries. The Army has sufficient levels of main battle tanks to meet the levels of readiness required under Defence Strategic Direction and as set out in the Defence Plan.
Asked by: Lord Trefgarne (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average time taken by general practitioners to complete the medical forms required by candidates for the Territorial Army and Army Reserve; and what is the number presently outstanding.
Answered by Lord Astor of Hever
The average time taken by General Practitioners to complete medical forms for Army Reserve applicants is 29 days. This includes the time taken by the candidate to provide the documents to their General Practitioner as well as the time taken by General Practitioners to process the forms. This has reduced from 37 days which was the average prior to the implementation of the improved medical process for recruits in February 2014.
As at 6 June 2014, 1,315 sets of Army Reserve medical declaration documents were outstanding.