To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans are in place to cover capability gaps left by the withdrawal from service of the Gazelle helicopter in 2012. (218393)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 July 2008, Official Report, columns 1174-75W, to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 1 April 2008, Official Report, column 797W, on military aircraft: helicopters, by what means his Department plans to replace the (a) flying capacity and (b) skill base once the Gazelle helicopter has been taken out of service. (218400)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 July 2008, Official Report, column 1174W, to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox). With the planned decommissioning of the Gazelle Fleet, there will be no requirement to maintain experience of flying this type of helicopter beyond 2012.