HL Deb 14 October 1997 vol 582 c171WA
Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to replace the service currently provided by the Wessex helicopters of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron.

Lord Gilbert

The two Wessex aircraft used by No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron are nearly 30 years old and are becoming increasingly costly to maintain and operate. At the request of the Royal Household, we will therefore shortly issue invitations to tender to UK helicopter operators to provide a service based on a single helicopter. The cost of the new service will be met by the Royal Household from the Royal Travel grant-in-aid and should provide significant savings.