§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance he has offered to the Austrian and French authorities following avalanche emergencies in the Alps in the last 12 months. [74136]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 2 March 1999]: During the recent avalanche emergency in Austria, the Austrian authorities requested help from nations in the form of medium lift helicopters. This was the first request of its type in the last 12 months that we have received from either Austrian or French authorities. Our offer of a Puma helicopter was not required as lift from nations with nearer military bases was more readily available.