§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the daily average number of RAF aircraft movements was for each RAF base in the United Kingdom over the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [65200]
§ Mr. IngramThe information in the format requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The table details the daily average number of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft movements over the last five years at current RAF stations. A number of the movements may have been aircraft belonging to the other services. At RAF Brize Norton, RAF Lyneham, RAF Northolt and RAF St. Mawgan, commercial aircraft movements are also included.
countries regarding the Meteor missile programme. He has, however, taken every opportunity to discuss the project with his counterparts in the partner countries as the occasion has arisen.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the German Government have made representations to the British Government regarding the Meteor missile project. [66023]
§ Dr. MoonieThe German Government have made no formal representations to the UK Government since the United Kingdom selection of Meteor in May 2000, to salsify the requirement for a Beyond Visual Range Air 321W to Air Missile for Eurofighter. There has, however, been regular dialogue between UK Ministers and officials and their German counterparts regarding the Meteor missile project.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects the Meteor missile programme to move into its development phase; [66021]
(2) if he will make a statement on the future of the Meteor missile programme; [66020]
(3) if he will make a statement on the Meteor missile programme; and if he expects them to be in service on time. [66040]
§ Dr. MoonieA draft contract for the development and production of the Meteor missile was sent to our partner nations at the end of April following the conclusion of negotiations with the prime contractor MBDA. A revised and final draft contract was passed to our partners earlier this month. We very much hope that all partner nations will confirm within the next few weeks that they are content for the contract to be signed. Germany will need also to sign the Meteor Memorandum of Understanding, which has already been signed by the other five partner nations.
Although negotiation of the Meteor contract has taken longer than expected, we assess that Meteor can achieve its planned in-service date with the RAF if the contract is awarded in the near future.