Nepal: Helicopters
Defence
Written answers and statements, 19 October 2009
Clare Short (Birmingham, Ladywood, Independent Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2009, Official Report, column 2000W, on helicopters: Nepal, what concerns prompted the establishment of the inquiry into the gifting of two helicopters to the Royal Nepal Army in 2002.
Bob Ainsworth (Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence; Coventry North East, Labour)
holding answer
Concerns over the airworthiness of the aircraft were raised by the Royal Nepalese Army during servicing of one of the aircraft. These concerns prompted the investigation into the procurement of the two aircraft and the use of UK Government funds.