HC Deb 04 February 1983 vol 36 cc228-9W
Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence there is that civil executive aircraft were used by the Argentines as decoy aircraft during the Falklands conflict; what information he has as to what types of such aircraft were available to the Argentine air force; and whether any were shot down by Her Majesty's forces.

Mr. Blaker

Argentine sources claim that civilian Learjet aircraft were used as decoys during the Falklands conflict. The Argentine armed forces own and operate a number of civil executive type aircraft including the following: Sabreliner, Beech Super King Air, Beech Queen Air, Beech King Air 100, Rockwell Aerocommander, Rockwell Turbocommander, Cessna Citation, Gates Learjet. In the course of hostilities one Gates Learjet was shot down by British forces.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if any British employees of companies providing components for Exocet missiles have worked upon those components in the Argentine during the past 12 months.

Mr. Pattie

To the best of my knowledge, no.

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