HC Deb 04 June 1996 vol 278 c334W
Mr. Spellar

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the replacement of the Wessex helicopter used by the royal family. [30242]

Mr. Arbuthnot

The Wessex HCC4s used to provide the VVIP helicopter service for the royal family and senior Government Ministers have been in service since 1969 and are becoming more difficult and costly to maintain. We are examining options for a replacement service but no decisions have yet been taken.