‘Clip Red Arrows’ wings to sav

Agosto 23, 2010 | Por dayup2010 | # Enlace permanente | Tweet

THE world famous Red Arrows aircraft display team should be scrapped because of the nation’s poor finances, according to a Carmarthenshire MP.

Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards believes the near Pounds 9 million cost of maintaining the nine-strong flight of aircraft could be better spent providing equipment for soldiers.

The parliamentarian for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr said: “The question that Tory and Lib Dem MPs must ask themselves is do they want money spent on a display team that offers no operational use, or do they want to provide the right equipment for soldiers under attack on the front line in what the Deputy Prime Minister himself characterises as an ‘illegal war’. “If and handbags i when we manage to get through the recession the use of the Red Arrows could naturally be re-examined. However, it would be naive when so many other public services are being cut, and the Welsh budget is itself suffering around a Pounds 160 million hit, that they are excluded from the debate.

“Personally, I think it is money that could be put to better use.”

Approximate figures obtained from the Royal Air Force by Mr Edwards revealed the Red Arrows spent Pounds 4.6 million on pilots and technicians, Pounds 1.2 million on aviation fuel, Pounds 400,000 on dye, and Pounds 2.6 million on maintenance in 2009/10.

Last year the 45-year-old display team took part in 82 UK displays, two formal fly-pasts and 12 overseas displays.

The Red Arrows have appeared at Kidwelly Carnival in the past, the last time in 2005.

Carnival welfare committee member Michael Higgins is keen to have them back and believes scrapping them would be a mistake.

He said: “They’re great ambassadors nationally and inter nationally.”

They supported the community and inspired young people, he added.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the future shape of the armed forces was the subject of the strategic defence and security review, which reports in the autumn.

womens Bvlgari watches
Other articles:
http://dayup.blog.sltidc.lk/2010/07/13/kharoses-awarded-rs-14l-compen/
http://dayup.goodssy.com/2010/08/02/suarez-double-books-spot-in-qu/