§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first four Merlin helicopters ordered by the RAF will be in service. [138796]
§ Dr. MoonieThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Eric Martlew, dated 22 November 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about when the first four Merlin helicopters ordered by the RAF will be in service. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.In June 2000 the Merlin Mk3 formal In Service Date was achieved with delivery of the sixth helicopter. This milestone enabled the start of RAF aircrew training and was one element of a phased introduction into service. I assume the question refers to the handover of the first four helicopters to RAF Benson which had been scheduled for 6 November, but was postponed following an accident involving a RN Merlin MkI helicopter and the subsequent suspension of flying. A new date for the handover will be confirmed once flying resumes.