HC Deb 10 May 2002 vol 385 cc375-6W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with trials of the Army's Apache AH Mk 1 attack helicopter. [53517]

Dr. Moonie

Trials of the Apache WAH64 Attack Helicopter are progressing satisfactorily. Delivery of an initial operational capability to the army, consisting of the first operational Apache Squadron, is expected in August 2004.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings accrued to the Defence Budget from the reduction in the planned order of Merlin helicopters. [54903]

Dr. Moonie

There have been no reductions in planned orders of Merlin since the Strategic Defence Review.