HC Deb 02 March 1966 vol 725 cc299-300W
Sir T. Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing how many of each type of helicopter are in use by the three Services, shown separately; how many are on order; and what is the present monthly rate of delivery.

Mr. Healey

About 550 helicopters are in use by the three Services. The types included are the Allouette, Belvedere, Dragonfly, Hiller, Scout, Sioux, Skeeter, Sycamore, Wasp, Wessex and Whirlwind. For the new helicopters ordered in and since October 1964 I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden) on 16th February, 1966, which gave details of the 168 helicopters for which full-build contracts have been let. Further orders are under consideration. In addition, 103 new helicopters have still to be delivered under contracts placed before October 1964. I expect 18 helicopters to be delivered this month.