The parents of an RAF pilot who died after his plane was shot down in Iraq have criticised the Government after it was forced to admit that only two planes have the safety equipment that they believe could have saved their son's life.

Flight Lieutenant David Stead, 35, of Burley-in Wharfedale, was one of ten servicemen who died when a Hercules C130K aircraft was shot down near Baghdad in January last year.

Bullets pierced a fuel tank which exploded, causing the Hercules to crash and bringing about the biggest single loss of life among British troops since the conflict began.

Shipley MP Philip Davies demanded the Government tell MPs how many of the Hercules fleet have had explosion-suppressant foam installed - nearly five years after the RAF told the Government it was needed.

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram was forced to admit that only two aircraft had been fitted so far but the programme to fit the foam "continues as planned".

He said: "We take the protection of our Armed Forces very seriously.

"We have already spent over half a billion pounds on a range of force protection measures to support operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We continue to do all we can to ensure the troops get the equipment they require."

Flt Lt Stead's mother Pauline Stead said the "bland" answer was not what was hoped for but her family would go on fighting to ensure British troops were kept safe.

She said: "The Government is not answering the query. I am led to believe only one third of the fleet will be fitted.

"We accept it is a rolling programme but at the same time with only two having been fitted it is just not good enough.

"It should be being done quickly, especially as troops are in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Lives of the troops are at risk, but often the planes can carry up to 84 people including politicians and journalists."

Mr Davies criticised the Government for not ensuring safety was a priority and said he believed it cost only £250,000 per aircraft to fit the foam.

He said: "If our troops are putting their lives at risk fighting for our country, the least they deserve is to know they have the right equipment.

"It was nearly five years ago the RAF told the Government this needed to be done and I find it outrageous that only two have been completed."

Since the tragedy the families of the dead soldiers have been campaigning for explosive-suppressant foam to be installed in all RAF Hercules aircraft. Their group, Military Families Against War, has handed a 3,000-name petition to Downing Street calling for increased safety measures.

Flt Lt Stead left a wife and two children.

An inquest into his death has yet to be held.

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