§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if a BAE 146–300 aircraft is(a) owned by and (b) leased to the Meteorological Office to perform research previously done with XV208 Snoopy; what is (i) the lowest operating level and (ii) its highest operating level; and what is the purchase or leasing cost, the cost of on-board equipment and the (A) hourly and (B) annual running cost of the aircraft. [849]
§ Dr. MoonieThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Ewins to Mr. Robert Key, dated 27 June 2001:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the BAe 146–300 aircraft that will perform research previously done with Hercules XV208, otherwise known as Snoopy. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Met Office.
BAe Systems are currently modifying and fitting out the aircraft to undertake atmospheric research for both the UK University Community and the Met Office. The aircraft is owned by BAE Systems and will be operated under a service provision contract in the first instance with the University of Manchester Institute for Science and Technology (UMIST) and then the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) for a total period of at least 10 years. The Met Office use of the aircraft will be through a partnership agreement with UMIST and NERC.
The BAe 146–300 will be capable of operating at heights of between 100 feet and 35,000 feet above sea level with short periods at 50 feet. The highest operating level, in particular, will allow access to a region of the atmosphere that it is critically important to atmospheric researchers.
Met Office equipment being transferred from Hercules XV208 to BAe 146–300 initially cost in the order of £1.5 million. New and existing on-board instrumentation is also being provided by the University Community.
The leasing, hourly and annual operating costs of the BAe 146–300 are commercial-in-confidence. However, the consequential savings to the Met Office of moving to shared use of the BAe 146–300 will be £8 million over the next 10 years.
§ Mr. KeyTo as k the Secretary of State for Defence what the current location is of aircraft XV208; and what is its current role. [847]
§ Dr. MoonieAircraft XV208 is currently based at the Defence Evaluation Research Agency, soon to be QinetiQ, site at Boscombe Down. The aircraft is currently being kept in flying condition while future business for it is explored.