To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many fast jet aircraft of each type there are in (a) the Royal Air Force and (b) the forward fleet; and how many are fit for purpose.

[Official Report, 24 March 2009, Vol. 490, c. 271-72W.]

Letter of correction from Mr. Bob Ainsworth:

An error has been identified in the table provided in the written answer given to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) on 24 March 2009. The total fleet entry for the Hawk T1 was incorrect. The correct answer is as follows: (265141)

The numbers of fast jet aircraft in the RAF, forward fleet and those fit for purpose are provided in the table. The figures shown are a snapshot of the position on 28 February 2009.

The number of aircraft in the forward fleet comprises aircraft which are serviceable and those which are short-term unserviceable. Short term unserviceable aircraft are undergoing minor works, forward maintenance or any other unforeseen rectification work that can arise on a day-to-day basis. Serviceable aircraft available to the front line commands for operational and training purposes are termed fit for purpose. Aircraft which are undergoing major servicing or routine maintenance are within the depth fleet and are therefore not relevant to this question.

Although delivery of six Hawk T2 has been accepted they have not yet been released to service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force aircraft of each type are (a) in service, (b) in the forward air fleet and (c) fit for purpose.

[Official Report, 23 April 2009, Vol. 491, c. 812-14W.]

Letter of correction from Mr. Quentin Davies:

Errors have been identified in the table provided in the written answer given to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) on 23 April 2009. Certain entries relating to the aircraft types Dominie, Hawk T1, Sentinel, Tucano and Viking were incorrect. The correct answer is as follows: (269167)

The numbers of aircraft of each type which are in service, in the forward fleet and fit for purpose are provided in the following table. The figures shown are the average for February 2009 and have been rounded to the nearest aircraft.

“In service” has been taken to mean the effective fleet, which covers all aircraft barring those which are redundant, declared as surplus or awaiting disposal.

The number of aircraft in the forward fleet comprises aircraft which are serviceable and those which are short- term unserviceable. Short term unserviceable aircraft are undergoing minor works, forward maintenance or any other unforeseen rectification work that can arise on a day-to-day basis. Serviceable aircraft available to the front-line commands for operational and training purposes are termed fit for purpose.