HC Deb 22 February 1999 vol 326 c38W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 4 February 1999,Official Report, column 731, for what reasons the average number of flying hours for Tornado GR aircraft was lower in 1998 than in 1997. [71981]

Mr. Doug Henderson

For Tornado GR aircraft, there was a difference of just one hour flying time per aircraft per month between 1997 and 1998. We do not consider this to be a significant difference. In such a large fleet of aircraft there are numerous minor reasons for aircraft flying varying hours, but the main one in this case was the major modifications programme that the aircraft were and are still undergoing.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 1999,Official Report, column 21, for what reasons the average flying hours for Tornado F3 aircraft was lower in 1998 than in 1997. [71979]

Mr. Doug Henderson

The principal reason for Tornado F3 aircraft flying fewer hours in 1998 than in 1997 is that the aircraft were undergoing a major upgrade programme.