§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what occasions Sea King helicopters from HMS "Gannet" have been grounded because of technical or other faults in each of the past three years and in this year to the current date; what caused the grounding and delay of the helicopter in the search for Sinclair Cadzow on 19 February; what action is being taken to rectify the problems; and if he will make a statement. [12119]
§ Mr. SoamesProvision of data specifying the occasions when Sea King helicopters from HMS Gannet have been grounded for technical or other faults in each of the past three years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The search and rescue aircraft and HMS Gannet scrambled on 19 January at the request of the rescue co-ordinating centre suffered a gearbox fault in transit to the search area which necessitated an emergency landing near Cairnryan. An RAF search and rescue aircraft from Boulmer was then tasked to assist in the search.