HC Deb 11 July 2002 vol 388 cc1131-2W
Angus Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) training courses and (b) exercises have been cancelled owing to unavailability of aircraft in the last 12 months. [64848]

Mr. Ingram

From 1 June 2001 to 31 May 2002, twenty training courses were cancelled as a result of aircraft unavailability.

The Defence exercise programme is responsive to Operational tempo and decisions on which exercises to support with Tactical Air Transport (Tac AT) are taken on a case-by-case basis in the light of this, and their priority within the programme. From 1 June 2001 to 31 May 2002, four of the 13 exercises not offered Tac AT support were cancelled.

No exercises were cancelled as a result of aircraft unserviceability.