§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) where the Tornado F3s from RAF Coningsby will be based when 5 Squadron is declared down in January 2003;with which squadron they will be available for operational duty; and if he will make a statement; [33642]
(2) how many Tornado F3s will be based at (a) RAF Leeming, (b) RAF Leuchars, (c) RAF Coningsby and (d) other sites in February 2003; and if he will make a statement. [33641]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 6 February 2002]: Aircraft from 5 Squadron will be re-distributed across the balance of the Tornado F3 fleet. The specific details of where all these aircraft will be relocated have yet to be finalised. All aircraft will remain available for operational duty.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado F3s are based at(a) RAF Leeming, (b) RAF Leuchars, (c) RAF Coningsby and (d) other sites; and if he will make a statement. [33643]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 6 February 2002]: The number of Tornado F3 aircraft allocated to the stations in question is currently: RAF Coningsby 37, RAF Leeming 28 and RAF Leuchars 28. Operational aircraft are not based at any other stations.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado F3s are on loan to Italy; when they will be returned; where they will be based and with which squadron when returned; and if he will make a statement. [33644]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 6 February 2002]: There are 24 Tornado F3 aircraft on loan to Italy all of which will be returned by December 2004. Their future on return is yet to be decided.