§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) type and (b) number of helicopters are currently operated by the Queen's Flight; when they were transferred to the flight; and when they are due for replacement. [14639]
§ Mr. SoamesNo 32 (the Royal) Squadron currently operates two Wessex HC4 helicopters which entered service with the Queen's Flight in 1969, and two Twin Squirrel helicopters which entered service on 1 April 1996. No decisions have yet been taken on the replacement of the Wessex. The Twin Squirrels are operated by the RAF under a lease arrangement.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in each of the last 10 years the Wessex helicopters of the Queen's flight were used by members of the royal family. [14641]
683W
§ Mr. SoamesThe Wessex helicopters of No. 32 (the Royal) Squadron and, prior to 1 April 1995, the Queen's Flight were used by members of the royal family on the following number of occasions:
- 1987: 420
- 1988: 423
- 1989: 496
- 1990: 369
- 1991: 534
- 1992: 449
- 1993: 367
- 1994: 381
- 1995: 393
- 1996: 305.