§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 July, if he will set out the numbers and tasks of ground crew associated with deployment of Jaguars to Italy; where in Italy the Jaguars will be based; at what annual cost; which department will meet the cost; under whose operational command(a) the Jaguars and (b) the RN Sea Harriers will fall; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Hanley188 ground crew have deployed with the Jaguars to Gioia del Colle. The annual extra costs associated with the deployment of these aircraft are estimated to be £30,000,000, and will be met from defence votes. The Jaguars will be under the operational command of Air Officer Commander-in-Chief Strike Command. The Royal Navy Sea Harriers will be under the operational command of Commander-in-Chief United Kingdom Land Forces. Operational control of both Jaguar and Sea Harrier aircraft involved in close air support operations will be delegated to the appropriate NATO commander.