Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Shailesh Vara (Conservative). It was answered on Monday, 30 October 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Air Transport

Question: May I first associate myself with the Minister’s comments with regard to the two very brave men who lost their lives? Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones. Is it true that owing to a lack of RAF capacity as regards transport those who are serving on the front line and wish to come home for leave sometimes have to wait days before they can do? Does it not add insult to injury that those men should have that time deducted from their leave? I should be most grateful for the Minister’s comments.

Answer: I would remind the hon. Gentleman that there are men and women. There is an issue relating to the reliability of the operational bridge to Iraq and Afghanistan, which is why the RAF tries to make it its highest priority. We regret any disruption that those air bridge difficulties may have caused to the plans of personnel. I was recently in correspondence with one of the hon. Gentleman’s hon. Friends, who as a serving Territorial Army officer experienced significant difficulties in Cyprus. We have dealt with that. Today I wrote to respond to all the detailed questions that he raised in his letter. He is not in the House today; I understand that he is in Cyprus with the armed forces parliamentary scheme. It would be useful if that correspondence were placed in the Library to make all the details available.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 451 c2
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP 06/2025
Monday, 30 October 2006
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects: Armed forces Air force Leave Military aircraft
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk