HC Deb 13 November 2001 vol 374 c632W
Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many spare gearboxes for Chinook helicopters are kept in stock; and where the Chinook gearboxes are supplied from. [14352]

Mr. Ingram

There were 30 serviceable gearboxes for Chinook helicopters in stock as at 9 November 2001. These gearboxes were supplied by Boeing.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Chinook helicopters(a) are in operation, (b) were deployed in Exercise Saif Sareea 2 and (c) are grounded because of a shortage of spare parts. [14630]

Mr. Ingram

As at 9 November, 27 Chinook helicopters were in operation and four were deployed on Exercise Saif Sareea 2. No Chinook helicopters were grounded because of a shortage of spares but a total of 13 aircraft were undergoing scheduled maintenance, repair or modification.