§ Ms SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which front-line aircraft squadrons will be disbanded as a result of the Strategic Defence Review. [50396]
§ Mr. George RobertsonWe considered this matter very carefully and decided the most effective way to meet the reductions in the Tornado F3 and Tornado GR forces was to disband two squadrons. In order to minimise disruption for Service personnel and optimise running cost savings, No 29(f) Tornado F3 Squadron at RAF Coningsby and No 17(F) Tornado GR Squadron at RAF Bruggen will be disbanded by 1 April 1999.
There will be no redundancies as a result of this decision. We wish to place on record our recognition of the distinguished role these squadrons have performed over many years.