§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what contingency plans he has for the operation of long-range fishery protection patrols in the event of his Department's recently acquired Fokker F27–200 not being available for service on or after 1 July.
§ Mr. John MacKayAs in the past, if the normal offshore aircraft were to be unavailable appropriate cover would be provided. This would be either the back-up provided by the operating contractors for the Fokker F27 or the DAFS Cessna Titan which could perform an offshore role with its primary inshore task undertaken by a chartered aircraft.
§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he has made for hangar accommodation for his Department's recently acquired long-range fishery patrol aircraft at Turnhouse airport; what is the cost of this arrangement; who owns the hangar; and what steps he took to seek to obtain such accommodation at a lower cost.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe provision of suitable hangarage is the responsibility of the company who will operate the Fokker F27–200. This was made clear to tenderers, and their arrangements are contained in the tender proposals now being scrutinised.
§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what professional advice he obtained concerning the specification and choice of a fishery patrol aircraft and radar equipment for his Department; if he will name the consultant employed for this purpose and summarise that consultant's relevant qualifications, experience and business associations; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the specification and timetable for the supply of this aircraft and radar which was given to prospective tenderers.
§ Mr. John MacKayProfessional advice has been and continues to be provided by Capt. John Michie who is a fellow of the Aeronautical Society and a past chairman of the Association of British Aviation Consultants. Capt. Michie is a graduate of Glasgow university and was a captain with Scottish Airways; during the Second World War he served in atlantic ferry command and RAF transport command. Post war he was employed by KLM as flight superintendent, North Atlantic and pilot member of the research and development unit. Subsequently he was with British Eagle as general manager. During his active flying career he held British, Canadian and Netherlands airline transport pilot licences and was a delegated type-rating and instrument-rating examiner. Further professional advice has been forthcoming from other relevant Departments and from the Civil Aviation Authority on matters concerning the acquisition of the Fokker F27–200. I do not consider it appropriate to place a copy of the acquisition tender in the Library.