Dr. David ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF Nimrod aircraft are allocated to royal duties.
§ Mr. HanleyNo Nimrod aircraft are specifically allocated to royal duties, although aircraft can be made available in the search and rescue role should it be considered necessary on any occasion.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Nimrod aircraft were on royal duty in Australia on 26 January.
§ Mr. HanleyNone.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Nimrod aircraft there are in the RAF.
§ Mr. HanleyThe Royal Air Force currently has 33 Nimrod aircraft.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF Nimrod aircraft are located overseas.
§ Mr. HanleyTwo Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft are scheduled to depart the United Kingdom to conduct routine training in the Mediterranean on Tuesday 1 February. In addition to routine training deployments, Nimrod aircraft do deploy from time to time to Sicily from where they contribute to the NATO and Western European Union forces conducting maritine operations in the Adriatic; the next deployment is due to begin on Friday 4 February.