To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Royal Navy's fleet air arm, with particular reference to the Lynx Mk7 Attack Helicopter; and whether he plans to replace the existing Lynx Mk7 with a more modern helicopter. (129734)

847 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton is the only Fleet Air Arm unit to operate the Lynx Mk7. The Joint Service Future Lynx programme to replace the Lynx Mk7 helicopters of the Fleet Air Arm and the Army with the new Battlefield Reconnaissance Helicopter has a projected in service date of 2013.