§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF aircraft, and of which types, have been(a) retired from service and (b) put into reserve, in each of the past three years. [138426]
§ Mr. SpellarThe information requested in the table.
Number withdrawn from service1 Number placed in storage2 Aircraft Type 1997 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999 Bulldog T1 0 0 21 0 0 0 Gazelle HT Mk3 12 11 0 0 0 0 Nimrod MR2 0 31 31 0 0 0 Tornado GR1 0 0 0 0 0 0 VC10 0 1 2 0 0 0 Wessex 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 Aircraft withdrawn from service during the year prior to disposal or transfer to an upgrade programme. Excludes aircraft lost in crashes. 2 Aircraft placed in storage during the year. Excludes aircraft withdrawn from service and awaiting disposal. 3 The Nimrod MR2 fleet is being reduced prior to the introduction of the Nimrod MRA4. These airframes have been transferred to the Nimrod MRA4 programme.