HC Deb 21 June 1996 vol 279 c657W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 4 June,Official Report, columns 339–40, if he will list for the Sea Kings currently in service the number which have suffered cracking to the lift frame (a) once and (b) more than once, by the year in which they entered service; how many repairs to Sea King lift frames have been carried out in each of the last 10 years; what are the reasons for the cracking; what measures have been taken (i) before delivery and (ii) for helicopters already in service, to prevent cracking; and how many helicopters have been taken out of service prematurely because of cracking to the lift frame. [32820]

Mr. Soames

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.