asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will indicate, respectively, by type and cost, the number and value of fixed-wing aircraft, heli-

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the average annual cost of British forces in Western Germany over the past 20 years; and what he estimates to have been the gories: armoured righting vehicles (tanks and armoured cars, etc.), logistic support vehicles (lorries, coaches, cars, etc.) and tractors and earth-moving vehicles. Information on the number of logistic support vehicles lost through mishap is not readily available as records are not kept separately from those relating to routine withdrawals as a result of obsolescence. I shall, however, be writing to the hon. Member, giving him details of these losses as soon as I have them.In the meantime the following table shows total losses of vehicles in the other two categories:copters and vehicles regarded as total constructional loss to the Royal Air Force for the years 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976 up to the present date.

The details for RAF aircraft and helicopters are as follows:average annual foreign exchange cost not covered by offset arrangements.

Figures showing the cost of all British forces in Germany are not readily available. However, since 1966, Defence White Papers have shown the estimated costs of the British Army of the Rhine, and the average of these costs over the period is £293 million a year.The average foreign exchange cost of British forces in Western Germany over the past 20 years which has not been covered by offset payments is some £82 million a year.