§ Sir Patrick McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) the numbers, (b) the total cost and (c) the known causes of all training and operational RAF aircraft lost during (i) 1992, (ii) 1993, (iii) 1994 and (iv) 1995. [18846]
§ Mr. SoamesThe number of RAF aircraft either substantially damaged or destroyed in air accidents in the years in question are as follows:
Year Number (i) 1992 9 (ii) 1993 9 (iii) 1994 8 (iv) 1995 8 Each accident is most thoroughly investigated by separate RAF boards of inquiry. Summaries of BOI findings, including accident cause and flight safety recommendations, are routinely place in the Library of the House. No additional costs are incurred for the replacement of aircraft lost in accidents since replacements are drawn from an attrition reserve, which is procured as part of the total aircraft requirement to offset predicted losses. The cost of this reserve is therefore borne when the fleet is procured, not when an aircraft is transferred from the reserve.