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G8 Summit

It has not been the practice of the Ministry of Defence to reveal the numbers of helicopters in any particular theatre of war. However, we have tried to increase the number of helicopters available for transport and for cover. The addition of the Merlin helicopters at the end of the year will add to the 60 per cent. increase over the past two years, but I repeat what was said by the spokesman for the military on the ground:""It's a sad fact that helicopters would not have saved the lives of the individuals last week."" I hope that people will put the comments that they wish to make into perspective after hearing that statement from someone who is there on the ground in Helmand.