§ Mr. BoyesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of all accidents to nuclear-capable Tornado aircraft since 1983; and what was the risk to the public from each accident.
§ Mr. FreemanSince 1 January 1983,40 Royal Air Force Tornados have been involved in serious accidents. Of these, 25 were classified as category 3 (repairable locally). A further 15 Tornados suffered major or irreparable damage. All major accidents are listed in the appropriate 731W Statement on Defence Estimates. In addition, since 1980, there have been placed in the Library of the House summaries of the findings of RAF boards of inquiry into all major RAF Tornado accidents. No civilians have ever been killed or injured as a result of an RAF Tornado accident.