HC Deb 24 June 1994 vol 245 cc385-6W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the date of the incident in which a Royal Air Force Tornado suffered an engine fire on take-off from Canadian air forces base Goose bay in 1993; what was the damage to the aircraft; where the repairs were undertaken; and what was the cause of the accident.

Mr. Hanley

The incident occurred on 20 July 1993. The aircraft was repaired at Goose bay after sustaining heat damage to the engines, rudder and one taileron. The cause of the incident was a servicing error during replacement of the right engine reheat fuel control unit.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average cost per flying hour, including apportionment of fixed costs, of flying the Tornado GR1 aircraft(a) from RAF Bruggen and (b) from bases in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Hanley

Fixed costs are spread over four squadrons in the case of RAF Bruggen and two in the case of United Kingdom bases. At 1993–94 prices, the average cost per flying hour of a Torndado GR1 operated from(a) RAF Bruggen is £18,952 and (b) United Kingdom bases is £21,673. These figures include fixed costs and those relating to depreciation, interest on capital and administration.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what annual number of flying hours per member of(a) Tornado GR1, (b) Tornado F3, (c) Jaguar and (d) Harrier aircrew was provided for in Royal Air Force fuel allocations for each financial year since 1990–91.

Mr. Hanley

The average number of flying hours expected to be flown by each Tornado GR1, Tornado F3, Jaguar and Harrier aircrew member in 1990–91 and 1991–92 was 240 hours. In financial years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95 the forecast average was 222 hours. Those flying hours were provided for in the Royal Air Force fuel allocations for the years concerned.

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