Ministerial Correction
Monday 25 January 2010
Defence
Topical Questions
Letter of correction from Mr. Quentin Davies:
An error has been identified in the oral answer given to the hon. Member for Bosworth (David Tredinnick) on 11 January 2010.
David Tredinnick (Bosworth) (Con): Given the shortage of helicopters in Afghanistan, when are the remaining Merlin helicopters in Iraq going to be moved into theatre?
[Official Report, 11 January 2010, Vol. 503, c. 409.]
Mr. Quentin Davies: We have already begun to deploy them. The first Merlin arrived before Christmas, and Merlins are in the process of being deployed there. Over the next few months, we will deploy not only more Merlins, but more Chinooks and the re-engined Lynxes, which can fly 365 days a year. As I said earlier, between July last year and July this year, there is to be a 50 per cent increase in the number of helicopters in Afghanistan, and an even greater increase in available flying hours.
The correct answer should have been:
Mr. Quentin Davies: We have already begun to deploy them. The first Merlin arrived before Christmas, and Merlins are in the process of being deployed there. Over the next few months, we will deploy not only more Merlins, but more Chinooks and the re-engined Lynxes, which can fly 365 days a year. As I said earlier, between July last year and July this year, there is to be a 50 per cent. increase in the number of helicopters in Afghanistan, and an increase in available flying hours of 45 per cent.
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