Written question asked by Martin Redmond (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 December 1996. It was answered by Lord Soames of Fletching (Conservative) on Thursday, 12 December 1996 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: What was the purpose of the deployment of Tornados from the 38th Fighter-Bomber Wing, German Air Force, to RAF Coningsby during January 1996; how many sorties were flown; how many of these were at low level; and how many practice attacks were made on UK ranges.

Answer: Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the deployment of Tornados from the 38 fighter-bomber wing, German air force, to RAF Coningsby during January 1996; how many sorties were flown; how many of these were at low level; and how many practice attacks were made on UK ranges. [8606] Mr. Soames: The purpose of the deployment was to conduct a flight trial to test the compatibility of an electronic countermeasures system with the aircraft. A total of seven sorties were flown, none of which was at low level. No practice attacks were made on UK ranges.

Secondary information