Relief Effort (Pakistan)

Answer: There is an issue to be dealt with. We are looking at the servicing of the whole support helicopter fleet, but particularly the Chinooks, and considering new cycle times for maintenance. If that proves feasible in safety terms, more helicopters may be available at any given time, and pressures may be eased. We should view the position across the board. We should not simply say ““Let us purchase more””; we should ask whether there is a better way of making certain platforms available. Our action is part of our overall logistic support effort. It does not apply just to support helicopters, fast jets and so on. The Defence Committee, which the right hon. Gentleman chairs, is examining the whole issue, and I await the outcome of its report.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Monday, 12 December 2005 by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative).

Question: Does the Minister agree that the activities of those Chinook teams from the UK is a source of pride not only to Britain, but to RAF Odiham in my constituency. I know that the Minister visited RAF Odiham on Monday. Does he agree, however, that there is serious worry about the availability of heavy-lift helicopters once we deploy to Afghanistan next year? Is he convinced that we have enough heavy-lift helicopters, and support helicopters in general, to do the very necessary work that they do?

Secondary information

Type: Oral answer to question
Reference: 440 c1102-3
Session: 2005-06
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Disaster relief Pakistan Chinook helicopters Earthquakes Military aid
Link: View this Oral answer to question on www.publications.parliament.uk