HC Deb 12 December 1996 vol 287 cc344-5W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates of deployment and units involved for each deployment of non-flying units to Canadian forces base, Goose bay in 1995 and 1996; and what plans he has for further non-flying unit training deployments to Goose bay. [8595]

Mr. Soames

Dates of deployment and units involved for each deployment of non-flying units to Goose bay in 1995 and 1996 are as follows26 January to 26 February 1995: Composite deployment from various RAF regiment units. 14 January to 13 February 1996: Composite deployment from various RAF regiment units.

Plans for further non-flying unit deployments to Goose bay are: 4 January to 9 January 1997: Composite deployment from elements of 5 Airborne Brigade.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were flown by each Royal Air Force aircraft type at Canadian forces base, Goose bay in 1996. [8593]

Mr. Soames

Royal Air Force aircraft have flown 800 training sorties at Goose bay in 1996; 782 of these were by Tornado GR I aircraft and 18 by Hercules aircraft.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the squadrons which carried out training at Canadian forces base, Goose bay in 1996; and what were the deployment dates for each squadron. [8594]

Mr. Soames

The information on flying squadron deployments is as follows:

  • Number 47 Squadron: 14 January to 20 January 1996
  • Number IX Squadron: 12 April to 3 May 1996
  • Number 617 Squadron: 3 May to 24 May 1996
  • Number 17 Squadron: 24 May to 14 June 1996
  • Number 11 (AC) Squadron: 24 August to 13 September 1996
  • Number 14 Squadron: 13 September to 4 October 1996
  • Number 13 Squadron: 4 October to 18 October 1996.