§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated remaining life of his Department's recently acquired Fokker F27–200 aircraft in terms of flying hours of Scottish fishery patrol conditions; how long he estimates that the aircraft will be able to remain in service with the workload described in his reply of 6 May, Official Report, column 446; and what recommendations have been received from (a) the 303W manufacturer and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority on adjustment to the remaining life of the aircraft, in terms of flying hours, to take account of the type of service for which he intends to use it.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe advice obtained from expert sources indicate that the F27 will have a working life of at least 10 years when employed in the maritime environment, taking account of the cycles remaining and the utilisation envisaged by my Department, as stated in my answer of 5 May to the hon. Member at column 446.
§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the outcome of his consideration of tenders to operate his Department's aerial fishery protection patrols.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe continuance of the contract in respect of inshore aerial surveillance of Scottish fisheries from 1 September 1987, initially for three years, to be undertaken by the Cessna Titan was awarded to the existing contractor, Northair Aviation Ltd, on 2 April 1987. Consideration of the tenders in respect of offshore aerial surveillance is still under way and a decision is expected shortly.