Low-flying Aircraft

HC Deb 03 July 1973 vol 859 cc225-7

1. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Minister of State for Defence what precautions he is taking to protect people and property from the new Jaguar low-flying aircraft over Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force (Mr. Anthony Kershaw)

All low flying is governed by stringent regulations designed to ensure the safety of everyone concerned and to minimise disturbance to those on the ground. The Jaguar will be subject to these regulations when flown at low level.

Mr. Dempsey

Is the Minister aware that his news is welcome, because nothing is more frightening to the population or more terrifying to those of a nervous disposition than the racing of jet aircraft from rooftop to rooftop? Will he assure the House that account will be taken of the effect on such individuals and even of the effect on sensitive property in the precautions which are being drawn up?

Mr. Kershaw

All low flying is subject to strict regulations, and it is not true to say that it is at roof-top height.

Mr. Dempsey

I have seen it.

Mr. Kershaw

The Jaguar, which will be subject to the regulations, is not expected to be as noisy or uncomfortable to people on the ground as were previous aircraft. I can assure the hon. Member that it is not proposed to fly over Coat-bridge and Airdrie.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

Is my hon. Friend the Minister aware that if the arrangements in Coatbridge and Airdrie are carried out as well as they are at Middle Wallop aviation centre in my constituency they will lack very little?

Mr. Kershaw

I am obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend for his comment. The arrangements certainly will be carried out well.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

Low-level flights in Wales now number more than 1,000 a month and there is grave disquiet at the increasing scale of these flights, which are injurious to the community and imperil human life. Is the Minister willing to pay attention to the prospect of greatly reducing the scale of these exercises before the problem gets much worse?

Mr. Kershaw

I am sorry, but I cannot oblige the hon. Member. It is necessary to carry out these low-level flights. They are no more numerous over Wales than over other parts of the country where they have to be carried out. I understand the inconvenience and I regret it, but it is necessary for the training of the Royal Air Force that such flights should be conducted.

Mr. John

We accept the necessity for the Royal Air Force to be trained in contour flying, but is there not evidence of more complaints from the western half of Britain than from other parts about these low-level flights? Would it not be prudent for the Minister to re-examine the position to ensure that no unnecessary disruption takes place?

Mr. Kershaw

Certainly it is essential that no more disruption than is necessary takes place. Wales does not have more than its proportion of low-level flights, but I agree with the hon. Member that we get more complaints from Wales than from other parts of the country.