RAF Akrotiri

Mr. Soames
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF officers were on duty (a) in the terminal and (b) at the base at RAF Akrotiri between 1700 hours on Tuesday 26 September and 0600 hours on Wednesday 27 September; and what the normal working establishment is.

Mr. Ingram
[holding answer 18 December 2006]: On Tuesday 26 September one commissioned officer was on duty in the terminal; however, between 1730 and 2020 hours the officer was not at the terminal but on call. A total of five officers were on duty at RAF Akrotiri, with others available on call.

The normal working establishment for commissioned officers at the base is in the region of 50 during an average day. Out of hours, typically there are four commissioned officers on duty and others will be on call in the event of contingencies. The normal working establishment for commissioned officers at the terminal is three during an average day, and one on call, out of hours.