HC Deb 15 March 2000 vol 346 cc203-4W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if(a) the US C-17 and (b) the C5A Galaxy aircraft were available to support the UK relief operation in Mozambique. [114093]

Mr. Hoon

We concluded, from recent experience, that these aircraft would not be available in sufficient time for the UK relief operation in Mozambique.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria were used in making the decision to use the Antonov 124–100 to carry supplies to Mozambique. [114089]

Mr. Hoon

No request was received to carry supplies to Mozambique. The request was for the movement of four Puma helicopters for rescue purposes. There are only three aircraft types able to carry Puma without the necessity to remove significant components from the helicopter; of these, we judged that only the Antonov An 124–100 was available within the required timeframe.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he gave to leasing the C-17 for the Mozambique operation. [114091]

Mr. Hoon

It is only possible to purchase or lease the C-17 from the manufacturer or to charter from the United States Air Force. Our recent experience of such options suggested that there was insufficient time for any of them to have been exploited for the Mozambique operation.