Chinook Helicopters

Mr. Meacher
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has initiated disciplinary action against any individual as a consequence of their involvement in the commissioning of the eight Chinook helicopters which remain unairworthy.

Mr. Bob Ainsworth
[holding answer 16 June 2008]: A full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the Chinook procurement was held in 2004. It found that the failures were systemic and no individuals were to blame. Lessons have been learnt and procedures have been put in place to avoid a similar occurrence.