Fighter Jets

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Royal Air Force’s total inventory is of (a) Harrier GR7s, (b) Tornado GR1s and (c) Jaguar GR1s; and how many of each are operationally available. [43635]

Mr. Ingram [holding answer 15 March 2002]: On 13 March 2002 there were 74 Harrier GR7 aircraft in the departmental fleet (the total number of aircraft owned by the Ministry of Defence), of which 55 were assigned to the Actual Operating Fleet (the total number of aircraft allocated to meet the fleet task); 23 Tornado GR1 aircraft in the departmental fleet, of which 14 were assigned to the Actual Operating Fleet, and 51 Jaguar GR1 aircraft in the departmental fleet, of which none were assigned to the Actual Operating fleet.

Apache Helicopters

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the integration of the Hellfire missile on to the Army’s Apache helicopters. [44659]

Dr. Moonie [holding answer 19 March 2002]: Trials of the helicopter and its weapons systems are progressing satisfactorily. We expect the Hellfire missile to be integrated on the helicopter and cleared for training by the end of this year.

Fleet Support Limited Company

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Fleet Support Limited company has (a) met all contractual performance indicators and (b) delivered on time and to cost for all work on Fleet Maintenance and Repair in Portsmouth. [44757]

Mr. Ingram: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since its formation in 1998, Fleet Support Ltd. (FSL) has undertaken an extensive programme of work on RN and RFA vessels in Portsmouth, during which period not every project has been delivered to time and cost. The reasons for this are complex, vary considerably across the projects concerned and are not necessarily the sole responsibility of the company in each instance. However, the company’s performance overall in the last 12 months has been well within the performance indicators which the Warship Support Agency (WSA), as the provider of maritime logistics support, is tasked to achieve.

Iraq

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what injuries were sustained by members of the RAF in the threats and attacks on coalition planes in Iraq in 2001; and if he will make a statement. [44741]

Mr. Ingram: RAF aircraft patrolling as part of the international coalition’s enforcement of the no-fly zones over Iraq are regularly attacked by Iraqi air defences, including anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles. Owing to the skill of RAF aircrew, their training, equipment, tactics and support, none were hit in 2001, and no aircrew were injured. This record has been maintained this year to date.

Afghanistan

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if C130Js have flown into Afghanistan; and if the C130J Hercules deployed in Afghanistan have a full defensive aids suite. [45457]

Mr. Hoon: No C130Js have been flown into Afghanistan. All C130s operating into Afghanistan are provided with defensive aids. Details vary from air-frame to air-frame but we are confident that for all flights into Afghanistan self protection measures are adequate against the perceived threat.

Aviation Repairs

Mr. John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the competition process for deep aviation repair work within his Department. [43805]

Mr. Ingram: I am satisfied that our acquisition strategy for aviation repair work is coherent, provides best value for money for the British taxpayer and ensures fair treatment for all competitors in this field. I therefore have no plans at present to review the competition process.

Mr. John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what reason the Defence Aviation Repair Agency was not awarded the contract for Tor