§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many chaplains are currently stationed at United Kingdom Polaris submarine bases; and what are their religious denominations.
§ Mr. DuffyThere are currently four chaplains appointed to the Clyde submarine base: two of these are Anglican; one is Church of Scotland and Free Churches; and one Roman Catholic. There are no other United Kingdom Polaris submarine bases.
§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Defence if it is customary for naval chaplains to be aboard Polaris submarines during operational cruises.
§ Mr. DuffyIt is not customary for naval chaplains to be on board Polaris submarines during operational cruises, 309W but they do go to sea in these submarines for periods of a few days at a time. This helps the chaplains in their ministry to submariners and their families by giving them a better understanding of the conditions of work aboard a submarine and at the same time making the submariners aware that the chaplains understand something of this way of life.
Date Aircraft Fatalities Cause 19th January 1976 Harrier 2 Aircrew error 12th March 1976 Harrier 1 Aircrew error 30th April 1976 Gnat* 4† Aircrew error 4th May 1976 Hunter 1 Not known 2nd July 1976 Jaguar 1 Not known 16th August 1976 Hunter 1 Not known 27th August 1976 Puma 8 Technical defect 15th September 1976 Jaguar 1 Aircrew error 17th September 1976 Jaguar 1 Not known 8th October 1976 Gnat 2 Aircrew error 25th February 1977 Jaguar 1 Not known 3rd May 1977 Canberra 5‡ Aircrew error 14th June 1977 Jaguar 1 Not yet finally determined 29th July 1977 Jaguar 2 Not yet finally determined 31st October 1977 Buccaneer 1§ Not yet finally determined NOTES:
*Two aircraft involved.
† Includes a USAF officer.
‡ Includes three civilian fatalities.
§ Royal Navy Officer
Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the military flying accident rates for 1976 and 1977 broken down between fixed wing aircraft and rotary wing aircraft.
§ Mr. WellbelovedThe flying accident rates per 10,000 flying hours for the calendar years 1976 and 1977 for RAF fixed and rotary wing aircraft were as follows:
Fixed Wing Aircraft Rotary Wing Aircraft 1976 0.64 0.18 1977 0.36 0.18 For this purpose, an accident is defined as an occurrence where the aircraft is missing, damaged beyond repair, or is not repairable on base.