To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) medium and (b) heavy lift helicopters are in service with the (i) Royal Air Force and (ii) Army, broken down by make. (85793)

[holding answer 17 July 2006]: The numbers of medium and heavy lift helicopters, in service in the Forward Fleet as at May 2006, broken down by type, are given in the following table:

All medium and heavy lift helicopters in service in the Forward Fleet are owned by the Joint Helicopter Command. There are no medium and heavy lift helicopters operated by the Army. In addition to the figures shown in the table, the Royal Navy operate 30 Sea King Mk 4 medium lift helicopters.