UASs CUT
Shameful blow to RAF
21 September 2005
Shadow Defence Secretary Michael Ancram has accused the Government of undermining the future capability of the Royal Air Force after the Labour-run Ministry of Defence announced dramatic cuts in training for University Air Squadrons.
Unveiling new plans for the UASs, junior minister Don Touhig said that from now on university students hoping to join the armed forces would be offered a fuller range of personal development and leadership training, while those who decide to become RAF pilots would undertake their elementary flying training after graduation.
He said this would provide a greater continuity of training for UAS graduates than the current system, under which elementary flying training is provided to university students during their degree course.
But Mr Ancram warned that the shake-up would have serious implications for RAF training and recruitment. "Currently 60% of RAF pilots and 25% of all RAF officers are recruited through University Air Squadrons. Parliament should have been consulted before any decision was taken," he said.
Accusing the MoD of deliberately misleading MPs, Mr Ancram added: "Two months ago my colleague Gerald Howarth raised the issue with the Minister who was either unable to give the answer either because he has no idea what goes on in his own department, or because he was unwilling because he was hoping to bury the bad news during the recess. In both cases he shamefully misled the House."
He added: "The breaking of the Minister's personal assurances is an unforgivable discourtesy to the House and another blow to the RAF that continues being treated in the underhand way."