Bob Stewart MP: At the moment in the southern Indian ocean, Poseidons operated by the United States and Orions from New Zealand or Australia are combing the waters to try to find the remains of an aircraft that, frankly, has just disappeared. Australia, New Zealand and the United States can do that, but what would happen if one of our aircraft or an aircraft flying over British territory disappeared 900 miles out into the Atlantic? We do not have anything that could get there quickly or could search like a maritime patrol aircraft, which is something we desperately need. We should seriously consider restoring a maritime patrol aircraft capability to our country as soon as possible.
The MPAs have been completely fruitless. Maybe the honorable gentleman would be better off asking for more ships with hydraphones...far more useful in this particular case. The MPAs have been as much use a chocolate galley tea pot!
LJ