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Drayson, Lord (41)
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Transport (41)
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asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Ministry of Defence has appointed, intends to appoint, or will consider appointing a senior officer with overall responsibility, as his primary duty, for the efficiency of airbridges to and from operational theatres and to co-ordinate the activities of stakeholders from the Ministry of Defence, permanent...
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Ministry of Defence has appointed, intends to appoint, or will consider appointing a senior officer with overall responsibility, as his primary duty, for the efficiency of airbridges to and from operational theatres and to co-ordinate the activities of stakeholders from the Ministry of Defence, permanent...
Asked by
Lord Astor of Hever
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 June 2007
The Assistant Chief of Defence Staff Logistics (Operations) has responsibility for oversight of the operational airbridges.
Subjects
Accountability; Armed forces; Deployment; Military aircraft; Transport
Date
20 June 2007
Reference
4185; 693 c51WA
House
House of Lords
How the serviceability of Royal Air Force air transport aircraft has impacted on the airbridge to and from Iraq .
How the serviceability of Royal Air Force air transport aircraft has impacted on the airbridge to and from Iraq .
Asked by
Lord Astor of Hever
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
14 March 2007
The Iraq airbridge is conducted by a combination of civilian charter and RAF air transport aircraft, with the RAF aircraft completing the final sector into Iraq. There has been disruption to both the charter and military sectors of the Iraq airbridge. Senior stakeholders drawn from MoD Headquarters, Permanent Joint Headquarters, Defence Supply Chain Operations and Movements and the front-line commands are actively engaged in making improvements to the airbridge.
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Repairs and maintenance
Date
14 March 2007
Reference
2325; 690 c133WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress they have made in providing a reliable airbridge to and from Iraq to prevent the disruption of leave for service personnel; and
asked Her Majesty's Government:What progress they have made in providing a reliable airbridge to and from Iraq to prevent the disruption of leave for service personnel; and
Asked by
Lord Astor of Hever
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
14 March 2007
The Iraq airbridge is conducted by a combination of civilian charter and RAF air transport aircraft, with the RAF aircraft completing the final sector into Iraq. There has been disruption to both the charter and military sectors of the Iraq airbridge. Senior stakeholders drawn from MoD Headquarters, Permanent Joint Headquarters, Defence Supply Chain Operations and Movements and the front-line commands are actively engaged in making improvements to the airbridge.
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Repairs and maintenance
Date
14 March 2007
Reference
2323; 690 c133WA
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I agree that air transport for our troops is a vital area. The noble Lord is right that some of our aircraft are aged. Taking into account the operational tempo with which the RAF is having to cope and the age of some of the fleet, I believe that the RAF is doing an excellent job. The number of troop passengers carried over the past year has gone up by more than 40 per cent, which reflects the tempo that is being coped with.
None the less, it is important for us to do whatever we can to improve the situation, which I and the RAF are aware is not as good as we would like it to be. In December, the AOC of 2 Group implemented an initiative to put more focus on the experience, if you like, for our troops in transportation. We hope that this will provide improvements in a number of areas. For example, we are investing in Brize Norton to improve the experience for passengers while they wait. None the less, I will look at what further work we can do to improve this.
My Lords, I agree that air transport for our troops is a vital area. The noble Lord is right that some of our aircraft are aged. Taking into account the operational tempo with which the RAF is having to cope and the age of some of the fleet, I believe that the RAF is doing an excellent job. The number of troop passengers carried over the past year has gone up by more than 40 per cent, which reflects the tempo that is being coped with.
None the less, it is important for us to do whatever we can to improve the situation, which I and the RAF are aware is not as good as we would like it to be. In December, the AOC of 2 Group implemented an initiative to put more focus on the experience, if you like, for our troops in transportation. We hope that this will provide improvements in a number of areas. For example, we are investing in Brize Norton to improve the experience for passengers while they wait. None the less, I will look at what further work we can do to improve this.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Astor of Hever
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, from these Benches, we join the Minister in sending condolences to the families of those soldiers killed.
The Minister will be aware that I have raised this issue a number of times from this Dispatch Box. Despite what he says, soldiers tell me that the situation has not improved. Vintage VC10s and Tristars continue to break down, leaving soldiers stranded sometimes for days on end, which is utterly demoralising for them and their families. Who is responsible for the air bridge? If, as I suspect, several different people and groups share responsibility for this unacceptable state of affairs, will the Government take the necessary steps to appoint one senior responsible owner, whose only responsibility would be to get this essential service right?
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Afghanistan
Date
8 January 2007
Reference
688 c1-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I am sure that the whole House will wish to join me in offering sincere condolences to the families and friends of all those killed and injured in operations over the Recess.
Troop movement is generally working well. Between April and December 2006, 80 per cent of strategic air transport flights were on time or delayed by less than three hours. For Iraq this figure was86 per cent and for Afghanistan it was 75 per cent. Recent improvements include refurbishing the runway at Kandahar airfield, which was completed in November 2006. This now allows troops to fly direct rather than via Kabul, which reduces journey times and increases C130 availability.
My Lords, I am sure that the whole House will wish to join me in offering sincere condolences to the families and friends of all those killed and injured in operations over the Recess.
Troop movement is generally working well. Between April and December 2006, 80 per cent of strategic air transport flights were on time or delayed by less than three hours. For Iraq this figure was86 per cent and for Afghanistan it was 75 per cent. Recent improvements include refurbishing the runway at Kandahar airfield, which was completed in November 2006. This now allows troops to fly direct rather than via Kabul, which reduces journey times and increases C130 availability.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Astor of Hever
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
What progress has been made in improving the air bridge for transporting troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Afghanistan
Date
8 January 2007
Reference
688 c1
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, in answering the noble Lord’s question, I referred to this new initiative, which was set up in December. However, I will look further at whether there is an increased advantage in focusing more closely on this area. Although, on the face of it, the figures that I quoted look like a pretty good performance, I recognise that the troops have experienced delays, so I will see whether further improvements can be made.
My Lords, in answering the noble Lord’s question, I referred to this new initiative, which was set up in December. However, I will look further at whether there is an increased advantage in focusing more closely on this area. Although, on the face of it, the figures that I quoted look like a pretty good performance, I recognise that the troops have experienced delays, so I will see whether further improvements can be made.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Naseby
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, will the Minister answer the question that my noble friend asked from the Front Bench? Will he and the Government consider appointing a single entity to be totally responsible for all these average movements?
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Afghanistan
Date
8 January 2007
Reference
688 c3
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
No, my Lords, I do not think there is a communications problem. I do not accept that a wholly different picture is being presented. The Government recognise the pressure on our Armed Forces; that is absolutely clear and we accept it. We also recognise that the environment in which our Armed Forces operate is changing at a faster rate than we have seen for a long time. That puts a lot of pressure on the Armed Forces as regards reforms, changes to equipment, tactics and procedures to meet the threat. I believe that we are doing a good job in responding to that. However, there are areas in which we need to improve. We are providing a very clear focus on taking action—for example, on the equipment side—to make those improvements. We listen very clearly to what the Armed Forces say to us at all levels, from a ministerial perspective and from the perspective of the Chiefs of Staff. It is important that we do so. There is no failure of communication.
No, my Lords, I do not think there is a communications problem. I do not accept that a wholly different picture is being presented. The Government recognise the pressure on our Armed Forces; that is absolutely clear and we accept it. We also recognise that the environment in which our Armed Forces operate is changing at a faster rate than we have seen for a long time. That puts a lot of pressure on the Armed Forces as regards reforms, changes to equipment, tactics and procedures to meet the threat. I believe that we are doing a good job in responding to that. However, there are areas in which we need to improve. We are providing a very clear focus on taking action—for example, on the equipment side—to make those improvements. We listen very clearly to what the Armed Forces say to us at all levels, from a ministerial perspective and from the perspective of the Chiefs of Staff. It is important that we do so. There is no failure of communication.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, why does the Minister think that the picture of the equipment and resources made available to our forces in Afghanistan and Iraq which the Government present is so different from the picture that comes from former senior and current officers in the armed services? Does he think there is a communication problem between him and our forces on the ground?
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Afghanistan
Date
8 January 2007
Reference
688 c4-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Yes, my Lords, I shall make that undertaking. Troop movements are crucial to all troops, wherever they serve on operations, as they affect the amount of time that troops have at home with their families. Improving that is at the top of our priority list. I have given the House the data which I think show that, with this level of operational tempo, the RAF does a very good job. Those aircraft are old—some of them go back to the 1960s—so we need to bring new aircraft into service as quickly as possible, as we are committed to do, and we must ensure that we provide the best possible service. The increased focus that the RAF has made on this, as I have just mentioned to the House, is something on which we shall keep a very close eye.
Yes, my Lords, I shall make that undertaking. Troop movements are crucial to all troops, wherever they serve on operations, as they affect the amount of time that troops have at home with their families. Improving that is at the top of our priority list. I have given the House the data which I think show that, with this level of operational tempo, the RAF does a very good job. Those aircraft are old—some of them go back to the 1960s—so we need to bring new aircraft into service as quickly as possible, as we are committed to do, and we must ensure that we provide the best possible service. The increased focus that the RAF has made on this, as I have just mentioned to the House, is something on which we shall keep a very close eye.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Afghanistan
Date
8 January 2007
Reference
688 c4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the data that I quoted are about the proportion of tasked flights for transportation which have been either on time or within the three-hour delay period. That information that I have shared with the House is recorded and is for April to December 2006. The number of Tristar aircraft defined as being fit for purpose to meet the tasking is hitting very close to the 4.75 to 4.8 target. I shall look at the figures relating to the PSA, to which the noble Lord referred. I am not aware of them but, if I can give him any further information, I shall write to him.
My Lords, the data that I quoted are about the proportion of tasked flights for transportation which have been either on time or within the three-hour delay period. That information that I have shared with the House is recorded and is for April to December 2006. The number of Tristar aircraft defined as being fit for purpose to meet the tasking is hitting very close to the 4.75 to 4.8 target. I shall look at the figures relating to the PSA, to which the noble Lord referred. I am not aware of them but, if I can give him any further information, I shall write to him.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Garden
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, from these Benches we also offer our sincere condolences concerning those who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan over the break, and to those who have been injured we wish a speedy recovery. Can the Minister explain why, in the public service agreement that his Ministry has signed, the target for improving the deploying, sustaining and recovering of force elements in this area is set at only 5 per cent over a three-year period? Furthermore, how did he manage to achieve the data that he has just given us, given that that public service report in the annual accounts says that a method by which to measure such data has not yet been designed?
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Afghanistan
Date
8 January 2007
Reference
688 c2-3
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble Lord will recognise that flight delays are not limited to the RAF, as we have seen with passenger flights over the break. We recognise the importance of aircraft maintainability but other factors, such as the weather, are issues in certain areas in Afghanistan. However, we think that the move that we have made recently will improve flight performance. I shall write to the noble Lord with an answer to his question about specific numbers as I do not have that detail in front of me.
My Lords, the noble Lord will recognise that flight delays are not limited to the RAF, as we have seen with passenger flights over the break. We recognise the importance of aircraft maintainability but other factors, such as the weather, are issues in certain areas in Afghanistan. However, we think that the move that we have made recently will improve flight performance. I shall write to the noble Lord with an answer to his question about specific numbers as I do not have that detail in front of me.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Oral answers to questions
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Afghanistan
Date
8 January 2007
Reference
688 c3-4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble and gallant Lord knows from his own experience the importance of this air transport fleet. The RAF’s total transport fleet for passengers, freight and air-to-air refuelling is 70-odd aircraft. If we look at the decisions taken by the Government to invest in new aircraft, be they C17s or the A400M, we see that it takes some time for those aircraft to come on stream. The most important project for the air passenger side is the FSTA project. The noble and gallant Lord is absolutely right that that is urgent, and I am well aware that we need to make a decision on it quickly.
My Lords, the noble and gallant Lord knows from his own experience the importance of this air transport fleet. The RAF’s total transport fleet for passengers, freight and air-to-air refuelling is 70-odd aircraft. If we look at the decisions taken by the Government to invest in new aircraft, be they C17s or the A400M, we see that it takes some time for those aircraft to come on stream. The most important project for the air passenger side is the FSTA project. The noble and gallant Lord is absolutely right that that is urgent, and I am well aware that we need to make a decision on it quickly.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Craig of Radley
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, the Minister acknowledged that the air transport force is working extremely hard—much harder than programmed for—with a very aged fleet, but all that was known well before the forces were committed to a second front in Afghanistan. Is it not outrageous that troops are being left waiting for long periods due to the inability of these aged airframes to be kept serviceable, no matter how hard the Royal Air Force service ground crews work? Is that not just another example of overcommitment of our Armed Forces over a very extended period, and should it not have been taken into account before we were committed to Afghanistan?
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Afghanistan
Date
8 January 2007
Reference
688 c3
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, our intention is to bring the future strategic tanker aircraft into service at the end of the decade. Therefore, the existing aircraft need to continue flying until those aircraft come into service.
My Lords, our intention is to bring the future strategic tanker aircraft into service at the end of the decade. Therefore, the existing aircraft need to continue flying until those aircraft come into service.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Earl Attlee
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, can the Minister say at what date the flying scrapheaps known as the Tristar aircraft will be replaced?
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Afghanistan
Date
8 January 2007
Reference
688 c4
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What progress has been made in improving the air bridge for transporting troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.
What progress has been made in improving the air bridge for transporting troops to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Asked by
Lord Astor of Hever
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
8 January 2007
Answered on
8 January 2007
My Lords, I am sure that the whole House will wish to join me in offering sincere condolences to the families and friends of all those killed and injured in operations over the Recess.
Troop movement is generally working well. Between April and December 2006, 80 per cent of strategic air transport flights were on time or delayed by less than three hours. For Iraq this figure was86 per cent and for Afghanistan it was 75 per cent. Recent improvements include refurbishing the runway at Kandahar airfield, which was completed in November 2006. This now allows troops to fly direct rather than via Kabul, which reduces journey times and increases C130 availability.
Subjects
Armed forces; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Military aircraft; Transport; Afghanistan
Date
8 January 2007
Reference
688 c1
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 1 November (WA 36) on medical care for veterans, whether the aftercare following hospitalisation is adequate and of a suitable quality; and what lessons were learnt from the case of Corporal Corrigan.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 1 November (WA 36) on medical care for veterans, whether the aftercare following hospitalisation is adequate and of a suitable quality; and what lessons were learnt from the case of Corporal Corrigan.
Asked by
Lord Morris of Manchester
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
6 December 2006
The veterans programme aims for an excellent delivery of public services for veterans by working in partnership with other government departments, the devolved Administrations, local authorities, ex-service and other charities and individual volunteers. Individual veterans and the ex-service organisations are encouraged to report back on their experience to officials in the Veterans Agency or MoD to monitor their aftercare. This means that any issues identified can be investigated, discussed and addressed by the responsible body.
Some problems have been identified in a small number of individual cases. The associated support processes and procedures are being reviewed and made more robust. This work involves discussion with other government departments and is being carried out by multidisciplinary teams, both military and civilian, including representatives from the ex-service charities.
Corporal Corrigan, a field ambulance commander in the Territorial Army, was evacuated from Iraq to RAF Halton following an accident in which he damaged his knee. Regrettably, administrative shortcomings meant that Corporal Corrigan was not provided with the adequate transport arrangements to return to his home in County Durham. The circumstances surrounding his treatment have been the subject of full investigations, and procedures have since been revised to ensure that appropriate transport arrangements are available for all service personnel who require it.
Subjects
Armed forces; Health services; Iraq; Peacekeeping operations; Transport; Veterans; Corrigan, David
Date
6 December 2006
Reference
127; 687 c139WA
House
House of Lords
Where responsibility will lie under the arrangements for the reorganisation of the Royal Air Force, announced by the Ministry of Defence on 31 March, for ensuring that (a) sufficient defensive suites for transport aircraft are available and installed as appropriate; (b) appropriate passenger carrying capabilities are available for transporting members of...
Where responsibility will lie under the arrangements for the reorganisation of the Royal Air Force, announced by the Ministry of Defence on 31 March, for ensuring that (a) sufficient defensive suites for transport aircraft are available and installed as appropriate; (b) appropriate passenger carrying capabilities are available for transporting members of...
Asked by
Lord Astor of Hever
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
23 May 2006
The Equipment Capability Customer (ECC) will continue to ensure that, where needed, sufficient defensive systems for transport aircraft are available and installed. The management of the passenger airlift programme is undertaken jointly by the Defence Transport and Movements Agency (DTMA) in the Defence Logistics Organisation, and by the Integrated Tasking and Operations Centre (ITOC) which is part of RAF Strike Command. These arrangements will not change under the reorganisation of the Royal Air Force and they will continue to be managed to provide both a timely service and satisfactory travel conditions as far as practicable.
Subjects
Armed forces; Deployment; Air force; Defence equipment; Military aircraft; Travel; Standards; Transport; Reorganisation
Date
23 May 2006
Reference
5540; 682 c97WA
House
House of Lords
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Drayson on 18 April (WA 184) about the publicly stated comments of incapacitated veterans of the Iraq war, why the mobility-restricted veteran Corporal Corrigan was left without the ability to reach his home independently after being flown back to RAF Halton.
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Drayson on 18 April (WA 184) about the publicly stated comments of incapacitated veterans of the Iraq war, why the mobility-restricted veteran Corporal Corrigan was left without the ability to reach his home independently after being flown back to RAF Halton.
Asked by
Lord Morris of Manchester
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
8 May 2006
I regret that administrative shortcomings resulted in Corporal Corrigan having to make his own way home from RAF Halton. Procedures have since been revised to ensure that appropriate transport arrangements are available.
Subjects
Armed conflict; Casualties; Iraq; Transport; Iraq conflict; Veterans; RAF Halton; Corrigan, David
Date
8 May 2006
Reference
5242; 681 c117WA
House
House of Lords
Yes, my Lords, it is my understanding that transport aircraft have the necessary defensive measures. With regard to the countermeasures that the noble Lord mentioned—breastplates for combat body armour and the suppressant foam—we are moving as fast as we can to address those issues. We must recognise that threats evolve quite quickly in certain circumstances. The Hercules was not regarded as being under such a threat previously. We are now addressing that and seeking to fit explosion-suppressant foam to our Hercules aircraft as quickly as possible.
Yes, my Lords, it is my understanding that transport aircraft have the necessary defensive measures. With regard to the countermeasures that the noble Lord mentioned—breastplates for combat body armour and the suppressant foam—we are moving as fast as we can to address those issues. We must recognise that threats evolve quite quickly in certain circumstances. The Hercules was not regarded as being under such a threat previously. We are now addressing that and seeking to fit explosion-suppressant foam to our Hercules aircraft as quickly as possible.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Astor of Hever
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, this morning, we heard the news of the tragic case of the Hercules shot down without the safety device repeatedly requested by pilots. On Thursday, we heard of Sergeant Roberts, who was killed without ceramic plates in his flak jacket. That raises the question of whether the Government are giving sufficient priority to the protection of our Armed Forces. Can the Minister confirm that all transport helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan have the necessary defensive measures against ground attack?
Subjects
Army; Helicopters; Transport
Date
2 May 2006
Reference
681 c392-3
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, no, that is not correct. No decision has been taken on air-sea rescue. It is not relevant to helicopter availability on military operations.
My Lords, no, that is not correct. No decision has been taken on air-sea rescue. It is not relevant to helicopter availability on military operations.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Elton
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, is it correct that the Government have withdrawn helicopters from air-sea rescue in order to thicken up our defences?
Subjects
Army; Helicopters; Transport
Date
2 May 2006
Reference
681 c394
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, we recognise that we have a shortfall. Calculating the specifics is complicated, but our estimate is 15 per cent. We expect to address it by improving the serviceability and maintenance of the aircraft and getting maximum productivity out of the existing fleet. We also need to increase the number of helicopters. We are looking at a project that will aim to take decisions about the total number of battlefield helicopters during the next 18 months.
My Lords, we recognise that we have a shortfall. Calculating the specifics is complicated, but our estimate is 15 per cent. We expect to address it by improving the serviceability and maintenance of the aircraft and getting maximum productivity out of the existing fleet. We also need to increase the number of helicopters. We are looking at a project that will aim to take decisions about the total number of battlefield helicopters during the next 18 months.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Garden
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does the Minister agree that the shortage of helicopter lift to which he referred is at least 20 per cent, or about 14 Chinook equivalents, and that there is a consequential shortage of air crew trained to fly support helicopters—both Royal Naval and Royal Air Force—who do the flying for the Army? The Ministry of Defence sent a memorandum to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee on 27 February, stating that the already excessive periods of deployed duty would be made worse by the Afghanistan commitment. How does the Minister intend to increase the number of air crew without yet further reducing the availability of helicopters for operational deployment?
Subjects
Army; Helicopters; Transport
Date
2 May 2006
Reference
681 c393
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I assure the House that the Government are committed to supplying our Armed Forces with the kit that they need, without exception.
My Lords, I assure the House that the Government are committed to supplying our Armed Forces with the kit that they need, without exception.
Answered by
Lord Drayson
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Marlesford
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, my noble friend Lord Astor spoke earlier about the obligation that the Government have to ensure that our Armed Forces in conflict zones are fully equipped with the best equipment. Will the Minister assure us that all British units serving in Afghanistan are equipped with the Bowman system and that no Clansmen there are leaking?
Subjects
Army; Helicopters; Transport
Date
2 May 2006
Reference
681 c394
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords