§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Battlefield helicopters are deployed on operations; in which theatres they are deployed; and with which units they are in service. [174543]
§ Mr. IngramA total of 68 Battlefield helicopters are deployed in operational areas, in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and Iraq. I am withholding details of the specific units with which these assets are deployed under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information as this would give a clear indication of their operational capability.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Royal Navy(a) Merlin helicopters and (b) squadrons of Merlin helicopters are (i) fully operational and (ii) preparing to become fully operational; [1748883]
(2) when all of the Royal Navy Merlin helicopters and squadrons are expected to be fully operational. [174881]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 21 May 2004] The Royal Navy currently has four commissioned squadrons of Merlin helicopters. A further squadron is planned to be commissioned in October 2004. At 1348W present, all RN Merlin helicopters have been grounded as a precautionary measure pending the investigation into the crash of a Merlin helicopter on 30 March 2004. It is too early to say when flying will be resumed.
§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) budget and (b) cost of running, maintenance, training and other non capital costs was for the Royal Naval Merlin helicopter squadron in each year since the aircraft was first acquired. [174885]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 21 May 2004]: This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.