To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when trials on the Tucano training aircraft commenced at the aircraft and armaments experiemental establishment, Boscombe Down.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Rhondda (M r. Rogers) on 11 January at column 65.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hours have been flown by the Tucano training aircraft during its trials at the aircraft and armaments experimental establishment, Boscombe Down.

Some 36 hours.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects the Tucano training aircraft to enter service with the Royal Air Force.

The first Tucano aircraft is expected to enter service shortly.