§ Major Beamishasked the Secretary of State for War how many helicopters, and of what types, are at present being used by the Army, other than for experimental purposes; and for how many machines by types firm orders have been placed.
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§ Mr. HeadForty-nine are in use, thirty-nine of which are flown by the Royal Air Force and seven by the Royal Navy. The remaining three are flown by Army pilots in an Air Observation Post flight in this country. The types are twenty-one Whirlwinds, eighteen Sycamores, seven American S55s and three Dragonflies. Orders for all helicopters are placed at the request of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air who takes the Army's requirements into account.
§ Major Beamishasked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made by the Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit which was formed on 1st April, 1955; what conclusions have so far been reached about the role of helicopters as Army transport vehicles and when he expects to be able to make a full statement.
§ Mr. HeadThe unit is being built up, and is making progress on its experimental programme. Rapid strides have been made in the training of both Army and Royal Air Force personnel in the handling of helicopters in the field. In August the unit is going to Germany for two months and will take part in exercises and trials in the field with 1st Corps. It is too early to make a full statement about the role of the helicopter in the Army, but I hope to be able to do so when we have had the opportunity of drawing lessons from these trials.