HC Deb 23 April 2001 vol 367 cc92-3W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the investigation into allegations of accounting irregularities and financial malpractice on the Tornado maintenance programme; how many Defence Police Fraud Squad officers were attached to the case; when investigations will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [157593]

Mr. Spellar

I refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to my answer of 13 July 2000,Official Report, column 635W. This remains an operational policing matter. I understand that varying numbers of officers have been assigned to the investigation at different stages. The Ministry of Defence Police Fraud Squad are currently awaiting the results of inquiries which it is hoped will enable them to take the investigation forward. At this stage it is not possible to predict when it is likely to be completed.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the Tornado GR1/GR4 fleet are operationally deployable; what percentage of the fleet this represents; and if he will make a statement. [157589]

Mr. Spellar

122 of a total of 181, or 67 per cent. of Tornado GR1/GR4 aircraft in the active fleet are allocated to the front line. Of these, all are potentially capable of being deployed. The specific numbers available vary from day-to-day depending on aircraft serviceability. However, there are sufficient aircraft of both marks of Tornado to meet current operational, training and immediate readiness requirements.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the scheduled deployments for the Tornado GR4 for the next year; indicating in each case the date and duration of development and the number of aircraft to be deployed; and if he will make a statement. [157639]

Mr. Spellar

Tornado GR4 aircraft are scheduled to undertake the following major deployments in the year from 1 April 2001. The number of aircraft in each deployment is shown in bracketsVarious exercises, United States and Canada, 9 February to I October 2001—(9) NATO Air Meet, Oerland, Norway 3–14 September 2001—(6) Ex SAIF SAREEA, Oman, 16 September to 30 October 2001—(12) Ex STRONG RESOLVE, Bodo, Norway, 1–15 March 2002—(12)

Note:

The nine Tornados deployed to North America will be used by a number of squadrons in rotation.