§ Lady Olga MaitlandTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many helicopter flying hours are allocated per month in Northern Ireland; at what stage in the month, on average, this allocated is used up; and what are the arrangements when demand exceeds the official allocation of helicopter flying hours.
§ Mr. HanleyIt is not the practice to provide detailed operational information about such matters as the allocation of helicopters flying hours. Allocation of352W helicopter flying hours for all operations, including Northern Ireland, is made centrally by the MOD on an annual basis commensurate with the requirements of individual theatres. Within individual theatres, arrangements are made to match the allocation with operational needs. If demands arise which cannot be met from within allocated hours, additional hours may be requested by the theatre concerned.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troop-carrying helicopters were permanently assigned to each helicopter-equipped RAF air transport squadron on(a) 1 January, (b) 1 April and (c) 1 July; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThe numbers of aircraft are as follows:
Squadron 1 January 1993 1 April 1993 1 July 1993 7 Squadron1 15 Chinook 15 Chinook 12 Chinook 18 Squadron1 5 Chinook 4 Chinook 5 Chinook 5 Puma 5 Puma 5 Puma 28 Squadron 8 Wessex 8 Wessex 8 Wessex 33 Squadron 12 Puma 12 Puma 12 Puma 60 Squadron 9 Wessex 9 Wessex 9 Wessex 72 Squadron 15 Wessex 15 Wessex 15 Wessex 230 Squadron 15 Puma 15 Puma 15 Puma The Queen's Flight 2 Wessex 2 Wessex 2 Wessex 1 The RAF Chinook force has been undergoing a mid-life update and therefore the numbers vary against 7 and 18 Squadrons.
§ Mr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many anti-tank helicopters are premanently assigned to each Army air corps regiment.
§ Mr. HanleyLynx helicopters, equipped with TOW missiles, in the anti-tank role are established with the Army Air Corps as follows:
Number of Aircraft 1 (United Kingdom) Armoured Division 1 Regiment 18 3 (United Kingdom) Division 9 Regiment 18 24 Airmobile Brigade 3 Regiment 12 4 Regiment 12 In addition, the Army Corps Centre at Middle Wallop holds 14 helicopters, and 3 Commando Brigade has six helicopters which are operated by the Royal Marines.