HC Deb 22 June 1989 vol 155 cc256-7W
Mr. Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft are currently held in storage at RAF Leeming.

Mr. Neubert

None.

Mr. Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft are currently held in storage at RAF Coningsby.

Mr. Neubert

No Tornados are held in storage at RAF Coningsby. However, as the RAF's receiving point for new Tornado F3s, at any one time a small number of aircraft may be held there in reserve while awaiting allocation to their operational squadrons.

Mr. Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Tornado GR 1 aircraft were held in storage on 1 April in each year since 1981;

(2) what is the average length of time for which individual Tornado GR 1 aircraft have been held in storage since 1981.

Mr. Neubert

No Tornado GR1s were held in storage on 1 April of any year since 1981 with the exception of 1983 and 1984. Although detailed records are no longer held, it is estimated that seven and 18 Tornado GR1s were held in storage on 1 April 1983 and 1984 respectively, while awaiting allocation to their operational squadrons. The average period in storage of each aircraft is estimated to have been between six to nine months.