HC Deb 24 April 1989 vol 151 c360W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the deployment of United States Air Force reserve C-130 aircraft to RAF Benson in September 1988.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The temporary deployment of three United States air national guard tactical aircraft units to RAF Benson in September 1988 was designed to give reservist aircrews experience of European flying conditions.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the deployment of United States marine corps F/A-18 aircraft to Edinburgh airport in September 1988.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The purpose of the deployment of United States marine corps F/A 18 aircraft to Edinburgh airport during the period 3 to 9 September 1988 was to test the staging facilities for elements of the II United States marine air wing en route to a deployment destination in northern Europe as part of a NATO exercise.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all exercises or deployments involving four or more aircraft of visiting forces for 1988 at bases and facilities, both military and civil, in the United Kingdom, giving the number of aircraft, type of aircraft, the major base or facility used and the dates of the exercises.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The information requested is not held centrally and could not be compiled without disproportionate cost and effort.

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