Holy (sea) cow!

A written PQ from Nick Harvey, answered yesterday on the subject of Our Boys' role in sea-cow conservation (via here):

Derek Twigg: On 26 and 28 March 2007 British Army Training Support Unit Belize provided assistance to the Wildlife Trust’s Manatee Conservation Project, in locating, examining and tagging Manatees. Two helicopters were involved, a hired Bell 212 operated by 25 Flight Army Air Corps and a RAF Puma. The extra cost of this activity to the Ministry of Defence was £1,765, covering the hire of the Bell 212 for approximately two and a half hours. All armed forces personnel and equipment involved were already in Belize for training purposes.

Right. Nearly £2,000, and two helicopters in aid of some presumably very greatful sea cows; it gets more and more like an episode of Yes Minister around here every day.