§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the redundant Nimrod airborne early warning 3 airframes are to be converted for use as tankers; and what is the estimated cost of this programme;
(2) what has been the cost of storage and maintenance of Nimrod airborne early warning 3 aircraft since the cancellation of the Nimrod airborne early warning programme.
§ Mr. SainsburyThree Nimrod AEW airframes are to be used to provide spares for the Nimrod maritime patrol312W aircraft, and a fourth as a ground instructional aircraft. Pending a decision on their future use, the remaining aircraft are being maintained in reserve at RAF Waddington. As the task has been absorbed within the RAF's existing manning levels, no additional manpower costs are involved. The only extra costs involved in holding these aircraft in reserve are estimated at about £400,000 per year, chiefly for the heating and lighting of hangars.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying hours have been flown by Nimrod airborne early warning 3 aircraft since the cancellation of the Nimrod airborne early warning programme; and for what purpose.
§ Mr. SainsburyJust under 10, comprising pre-delivery test, delivery and positioning flights.