§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the re-deployment of the Royal Air Force aircraft at Gioia del Colle in Italy; and if he will make a statement. [37510]
§ Mr. George RobertsonThe six RAF Jaguars currently based at Gioia del Colle in Italy and their supporting RAF Tristar tanker based at Ancona will be redeployed to the UK on 6 April. This results from our assessment that it is no longer necessary to have the Jaguars based in Italy on a full time basis given the improving situation in Bosnia. The Jaguars will, however, remain on short notice to resume participation in operations over Bosnia if required.