HC Deb 30 November 1960 vol 631 cc390-2
39. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for War what portion of the helicopters held on the strength of the British Army of the Rhine are operational; and how many are still grounded.

Mr. Profumo

Half are operational. Half are at present undergoing servicing. None is grounded.

Mr. Bellenger

Although that may be the position at the moment, is not the Minister aware that comparatively recently the whole lot were grounded because of a defect? Is he aware that on mare than one occasion the British Army has had to call on the German Army to supply it with helicopters for British purposes, and is not this rather undignified?

Mr. Profumo

As the right hon. Gentleman knows—and be has been to Germany—there have, indeed, been troubles with the helicopters. The occasion that the right hon. Gentleman mentions, When a corps commander found that he could not get a helicopter, was an occasion when, I grant, the helicopters were grounded. They are not grounded now, and I am satisfied that we are making progress; although there is bound to be trouble with helicopters at this stage anywhere, because there are difficulties to be overcome.

Mr. John Hall

May I ask my right hon Friend how much is half?

Mr. Profumo

Half of the total amount, but I do not think that it is usual to disclose the operational strength of equipment.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman serious when he says, or implies, that in the interests of security he cannot tell us how many helicopters there are?

Mr. Profumo

I should think that the right hon. Gentleman knows only too well from his very wide experience that if I started to tell the House about the number of helicopters in B.A.O.R. I should have to tell the House about the strength of the operational equipment in the Army as well, and I do not think that that would be wise.