§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on the Falkland Island garrison of the withdrawal of diversion rights for RAF Tristars by Uruguay and Brazil; and if he will make a statement. [81868]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThere has been no withdrawal of diversion rights for RAF aircraft by Uruguay or Brazil.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's time scale in the delivery of a 20mm calibre gun to the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department for the arming of a fishery protection vessel. [82059]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonFollowing Government approval in January 1999 to procure a 20mm Oerlikon cannon, a formal order was received from the Falkland Islands Government on 2 February. Considerable work156W was subsequently necessary to clarify the requirements for spares, fittings and ammunition, and the order for this support material was not received until 15 April. The cannon and associated support stores have now been prepared for dispatch and, on current plans, will be sent out at the next practical opportunity in early May.