HC Deb 04 May 2004 vol 420 c1451W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the role of Quick Reaction Alert aircraft is. [169991]

Mr. Ingram

Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) comprises armed Tornado F3 aircraft held at ground readiness for immediate take-off, the Air Surveillance and Control System to provide warning and command and control of the fighter aircraft, and tanker aircraft also held at high ground readiness. QRA fulfils two concurrent functions. Firstly, it meets the United Kingdom's responsibility within NATO to provide air policing of agreed member airspace. Secondly, under UK national control, QRA provides an airborne contribution to countering threats against the UK by terrorist organisations or individuals.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft are on Quick Reaction Alert status at(a) RAF Leeming, (b) RAF Leuchars and (c) RAF Coningsby. [169992]

Mr. Ingram

To provide geographic coverage, there are two aircraft continuously on Quick Reaction Alert at RAF Leuchars and a further two at RAF Coningsby. Aircraft and personnel for the latter are provided from Tornado F3 squadrons deployed from RAF Leeming.