HC Deb 30 July 1997 vol 299 cc357-8W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what problems have been reported to his Department with the mark 2 Chinook helicopter since 1993. [11203]

Mr. Spellar

We regularly receive service bulletins from the manufacturers of the aircraft and its engines which identify potential, or actual, technical problems. Appropriate action is taken to respond to this advice. No major problems have been reported since the aircraft entered service with the RAF in November 1993.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what trials his Department is conducting to investigate the operational safety of the mark 2 Chinook. [11201]

Mr. Spellar

All trials are aimed at ensuring that an aircraft is safe for operational use. For the Chinook HC Mk2, flight trials are currently taking place, or are planned, to extend the operational capability of the aircraft within the manufacturer's cleared flight envelope and to evaluate new equipments.