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RAF (Overseas Training)
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on how many occasions in (a) 1994 and (b) 1995 Ministry of Defence personnel have visited facilities in Romania to assess their suitability for training use by the Royal Air Force; [5186]
(2) on how many occasions in (a) 1994 and (b) 1995 Ministry of Defence personnel have visited facilities in the Czech Republic to assess their suitability for training use by the Royal Air Force. [5185]
Mr. Soames: Extensive military co-operation now exists with both countries. As yet, there have been no visits to either to assess training opportunities for the Royal Air Force.
Goose Bay
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Air Force Hercules squadrons have sent aircrew to Goose Bay for training in each year since 1992. [5188]
Mr. Soames: No. 47 Squadron sent aircrew to train at Goose Bay in 1994 and 1995.
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates of deployments to and from Goose Bay of aircrew from each Tornado squadron during 1994 and 1995. [5187]
Mr. Soames: The information is as follows:
| Squadron | |
|---|---|
| 1994 | |
| 14 April-2 May | 12 |
| 2 May -16 May | 9 |
| 16 May-30 May | 14 |
| 30 May-12 June | 2 |
| 12 June-27 June | 13 |
| 7 August-22 August | 17 |
| 22 August-5 September | 617 |
| 5 September-19 September | 31 |
| 1995 | |
| 3 July-28 July | 31 |
| 28 July-11 August | 13 |
| 11 August-25 August | 14 |
| 25 August-8 September | 9 |
| 8 September-22 September | 12 |
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the minimum altitude flown by Royal Air Force Hercules aircraft during training at Goose Bay in each year since 1993. [5189]
Mr. Soames: RAF Hercules aircraft have flown at a minimum separation distance of 250 ft, during training at Goose Bay, in each year since 1993.
Hercules (Crash)
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence was obtained during the investigation of
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the RAF Hercules crash on 27 May 1993 as to the possibility of the aircraft having struck the side of the valley before stalling. [5359]
Mr. Soames: Evidence from examination of the aircraft wreckage by the air accidents investigation branch and computer reconstruction of the flight path led the RAF board of inquiry to conclude that the aircraft did not strike the side of the valley before stalling.
Tornado Aircraft
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what speed restrictions have been placed on Tornado aircraft since 7 June 1994; and on what dates have such speed restrictions been lifted. [5413]
Mr. Soames: As a precautionary measure, varying speed limits were imposed on the Tornado fleet in July 1994 to keep engine pressure within acceptable limits. Following modification of the engine, the Tornado F3 speed restrictions were lifted in April 1995.
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the circumstances of the damage caused to Tornado GR-1A serial number ZG726 on 17 May. [5175]
Mr. Soames: On 17 May 1995 the aircraft concerned was subject to a birdstrike while flying over the sea north of RAF Lossiemouth. As a precaution, the crew diverted into Lossiemouth, but no damage to the aircraft was found.
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been introduced to provide a permanent solution to the problems that caused the RB199 engine failure in the Tornado accident of 7 June 1994. [5394]
Mr. Soames: The loss of Tornado ZE809 on 7 June 1994 was caused by a faulty engine seal. A technical solution to the failure has been identified and the intended seal modification is currently being trialled. If these trials are successful, modification of the engine fleet is expected to start in April 1996.
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current standing instructions to the Royal Air Force Tornado F3 crews concerning the execution of (a) air combat manoeuvring and (b) combat air patrols within advisory route airspace. [5167]
Mr. Soames: There are no standing instructions to RAF Tornado F3 aircrew specific to the conduct of air combat manoeuvring and combat air patrols within advisory route airspace. Aircrew are, however, required to follow all normal flight procedures.
Surplus Land
Mr. Cran: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all his Department's surplus land in Humberside. [5132]
Mr. Soames: The only surplus MOD land currently in disposal in Humberside is 7.42 hectares of tenanted agricultural land at RAF Driffield. Thirteen surplus married quarters are also in disposal.
12 Dec 1995 : Column: 594
Mr. Foulkes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the speed of Harrier GR7 serial number ZD349 at impact on 14 January 1994. [5176]
Mr. Foulkes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to install (a) air combat manoeuvring instrumentation, (b) a television ordnance scoring system or (c) a range measurement and debriefing system at RAF Spadeadam. [5236]
Mr. Soames:
There are currently no plans to install air combat instrumentation or a television ordnance scoring system at RAF Spadeadam; consideration is being given to establishing a range instrumentation and debriefing system.
Mr. Foulkes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the effects on the availability of airspace for fixed-wing low-flying training, of requirements for low-flying by the Army Air Corps' Apache helicopters. [5169]
Mr. Soames:
No changes to the organisation of the UK low-flying system are currently planned as a result of the introduction into service of the Apache helicopter.
Mr. Foulkes:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those aircraft types which are planned to be painted black to increase their conspicuity at low level. [5179]
Mr. Soames:
Hawk and Tucano aircraft are being painted black to increase their conspicuity at low level. Further investigations are being carried out to determine the most appropriate colour schemes for other slower moving training aircraft and gliders.
Dr. David Clark:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 4 December, Official Report, column 4, if he will list the 44 aircraft which were unavailable for use and in each case the RAF base at which they were deployed. [5062]
Mr. Soames:
The details requested are as follows:
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1 x Gazelle: RAF Shawbury
2 x Harrier: RAF Laarbruch
2 x Hawk: RAF Valley
2 x Jetstream: RAF Cranwell
1 x Sentry: IAF Aviano, Italy
8 x Tornado: RAF Bruggen
4 x Tornado: RAF Coningsby
4 x Tornado: RAF Cottesmore
5 x Tornado: RAF Leeming
4 x Tornado: RAF Leuchars
10 x Tornado: RAF Lossiemouth
1 x Tornado: RAF Marham.
Only one of these aircraft was deployed on operations. The remaining aircraft were assigned to their usual duties including training. The unavailability of the aircraft did not affect the RAF's ability to meet its operational commitments.
Bosnia
Dr. David Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to answer of 27 November, Official Report, 482-83, if he will provide a breakdown of the British troops who are part of the Bosnian peace implementation force. [5061]
Mr. Soames: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence earlier today.
Submarines
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the revised submarine code of practice; and if he will place a copy of the code in the Library. [5149]
Mr. Soames: My officials and representatives of the fishing industry have agreed a number of revisions to the code of practice which governs the conduct of dived submarines in waters frequented by fishing vessels. The key amendments reflect the appointment by flag officer submarines of a fisheries liaison officer, and the introduction of a fishing vessel safety ship during exercises which involve both dived submarines and surface naval vessels.
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