Also shadow minister for foreign affairs, Mr Lidington, asked the Secretary of State for the Armed Forces and Defence Bob Ainsworth how many armed services personnel had received training at Halton's specialist training school (STS) every year since 1998.

Mr Ainsworth, released figures stating that from 2003 at least 3,600 servicemen and women had been at the STS.

In the financial year 2005-6 more than 4,800 people had some sort of training there.

Army, Navy and Air Force personnel and civil servants and officers are trained at the STS, but across the base as a whole Squadron Leader Colin Baker said training at Halton is the gateway to the RAF.

Squadron Leader Colin Baker said "Royal Air Force Halton is the Gateway to the RAF for all ground airmen excluding RAF Regiment who are trained at Honington.

"Over 20,000 students attend Halton each year and this is increasing due to the following factors - Our recruiting target has increased from 2,500 to 4,500 this year and just under 3,000 of the new recruits will train at Halton.

"Both RAF Cranwell (Initial Officer Training) and Honington (RAF Regiment) will also see an increase on the number of trainees. A small training establishment from RAF Uxbridge will move to Halton next year and this will increase the number of students attending courses at Halton by circa 3,000.

"Royal Air Force Halton's training output is very diverse and ranges from Basic Training, Management Training, Logistics, Catering and Training Development for all the Armed Forces including Civil Servants.

"Our recruits are all proud of their chosen career and are fully aware of the commitment the Royal Air Force makes to help maintain peace throughout the world."

How important do you think RAF Halton is to the local community?

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