Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence
Monday 13th July 2015

(8 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Philip Dunne Portrait Mr Dunne
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I confirm that of the five principal helicopter fleets, two are manufactured by AgustaWestland and supported from Yeovil; one is supplied by Eurocopter, which has activities in Oxfordshire; and the Chinook and Apache fleets are Boeing.

Peter Bone Portrait Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)
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Does the Minister agree that we want the best helicopters for our forces? It is right that there is a spread, but we want the best, not necessarily just ones that were made in this country.

Philip Dunne Portrait Mr Dunne
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I completely agree with my hon. Friend, who has some knowledge of this subject; I met his son flying one of the Chinook aircraft in his constituency. It is right that we invest in the best capability and provide our forces with the best equipment that is available across the world, irrespective of where it is manufactured.