§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role is performed by the Dutch air force 3 guided missile group in the air defence of the United Kingdom; what role was performed by this unit during Exercise Hardcore 94; and what role the unit has performed in previous exercises involving Royal Air Force Harriers.
§ Mr. HanleyThe Dutch Air Force 3rd guided missile group does not have an assigned role in the air defence of the United Kingdom. During Exercise Hardcore 94 the unit was providing simulated target defences, as it has in previous exercises involving RAF Harriers.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the reasons why the location for Exercise Hardcore was switched from Norway to Scotland this year; and what are his plans for holding further exercises in this series in Scotland.
§ Mr. HanleyThe exercise was never scheduled to take place in Norway. Exercise Hardcore is an annual exercise held in the United Kingdom. It will normally involve flying sorties in Scotland, subject to training requirements and prevailing weather conditions at the time.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many live bombing sorties were flown by RAF Harriers during Exercise Hardcore 94.
§ Mr. HanleyDuring Exercise Hardcore 94, 22 live bombing sorties were flown by RAF Harriers.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-level sorties were undertaken during Exercise Hardcore 94; and how many of these were authorised at heights of less than 250 ft.
§ Mr. HanleySixty-two low-level sorties were flown during Exercise Hardcore 94; 38 of the sorties were conducted at heights less than 250 ft.