Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy relating to the release of information on the number of aircraft in individual RAF squadrons.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe 1992 edition of the Statement on the Defence Estimates will include the number and type of all aircraft assigned to RAF Squadrons in Europe.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troop-carrying helicopters are permanently assigned to each helicopter-equipped RAF air transport squadron, listed on page 83 of the Statement of the Defence Estimates 1991, volume 1.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe RAF's support helicopter fleet is in the process of being reorganised. The numbers of aircraft are changing as follows:
Squadron 1 April 1992 1 July 1992 7 Squadron: 13 Chinook 18 Chinook 18 Squadron: 10 Chinook 5 Chinook, 5 Puma 72 Squadron: 24 Wessex 15 Wessex 33 Squadron: 21 Puma 12 Puma 230 Squadron: 11 Puma 15 Puma The Queen's Flight: 2 Wessex No change
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many anti-tank helicopters are permanently assigned to each Army air corps regiment.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonLynx helicopters, equipped with TOW missiles, in the anti-tank role are currently deployed with the Army Air Corps as follows:
BAOR Number of Aircraft 1 Regiment 18 3 Regiment 22 4 Regiment 18 24 Airmobile Brigade 7 Regiment 6 9 Regiment 12 In addition the Army Air Corps Centre at Middle Wallop holds 12 helicopters, and 3 Commando Brigade has six helicopters which are operated by the Royal Marines.