To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) basic and (b) specialist military parachuting courses have been suspended as a result of aircraft unavailability in the last 12 months.

Over the last 12 months (1 April 2008 to 1 April 2009) a total of 11 parachuting courses were cancelled due to lack of aircraft. Of these, eight were basic courses, including basic regular para; basic TA para; re-qualifying courses, and three were specialist courses including special forces.