§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average flying time of one relief flight of(a) a Hercules and (b) Chinook involved in Operation Safe Haven.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe duration of both C-130 Hercules and Chinook sorties has varied considerably depending upon the location to which supplies are being delivered and the nature of the task being undertaken. Between 8 and 30 April, C-130 Hercules aircraft flew 58 airdrop sorties, accumulating about 240 flying hours—giving an average flight time of just over 4 hours. Up to 29 April, Chinook helicopters had flown 231 sorties on relief operations, accumulating over 400 flying hours—giving an average flight time of about one hour 45 minutes.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost so far of building and supplying camps for Kurdish refugees under Operation Safe Haven; and from what votes the cost is being funded.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonAlong with other allied troops, British Army engineers have been erecting tents, laying on water supplies and providing sanitation for camps, including at Zakho and Al Amadiyah. The cost will be shared between defence and ODA votes. An estimate of the cost is not yet available, but the additional costs involved are unlikely to be significant.