§ Mr. HicksTo ask the Secretary of State of Defence if he will outline the sequence of events that occurred on 15 June involving two Royal Navy sea helicopters which dropped and later collected a party of Royal Navy trainees at the China Fleet Club, Saltash; what was the training purpose of this exercise; what the total cost involved; how long the Royal Navy trainees stayed at the club; what they did there; and if he will make a statement. [30017]
§ Mr. SoamesRN Sea King aircraft of 848 squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton are used for the training of operational aircrew. Two of these aircraft were tasked to carry out operational training on 15 June involving low level navigation and formation flying.
To enhance the training value, the opportunity was taken to load the aircraft to operational all-up-weight with a group of off-duty maintenance ratings. These individuals were dropped at the China Fleet Club in Saltash from where they were retrieved five hours later by aircraft with different crews who were also carrying out operational training. No additional cost to public funds were incurred as a result of these individuals being transported.