§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 22 November, Official Report, c. 364, what is the maximum speed of a Hercules aircraft; what is the stalling speed of a loaded Victor tanker aircraft; whether the refuelling manoeuvre has to be carried out as the two aircraft are diving, and at what maximum rate of fall; and what is the lowest height above sea level at which any part of this manoeuvre is carried out.
§ Mr. BlakerIt is not the practice to release operational information of this kind.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the relative performance characteristics of Hercules and Victor aircraft, what assessment he has made of the risks associated with the refuelling of Hercules aircraft by Victor tankers en route to the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. BlakerThere were full trials and assessments before operational clearance was given.