Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to deploy military helicopter assets to support the Fire Service in fighting the moorland fires.

Mark Lancaster, Minister of State for the Armed Forces: Defence provided Military Aid to Civil Authorities (MACA) at the request of the Home Office as the lead Government Department and on behalf of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS). From the outset, a range of possible Defence support options were discussed, and as with all major incidents, military liaison officers were engaged at the local level, providing advice and support. Defence provided an RAF Chinook helicopter as part of this support, though GMFRS notified the Ministry of Defence that the planned helicopter support was no longer required before it arrived on scene. Over 100 military personnel from 4th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland (The Highlanders), deployed for a period of nine days to assist GMFRS. Home Office and GMFRS no longer have a requirement for Military support.

Hansard

160669