HC Deb 16 October 1973 vol 861 cc13-5
17. Mr. David Steel

asked the Minister of State for Defence how long any particular town is used continuously by the RAF for low-flying exercises.

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

Low-flying training is not undertaken over urban areas.

Mr. Steel

I am grateful to the Minister for the lengthy letter he wrote to me on this subject. While my constituents fully accept the need for low-flying operational exercises, there is a feeling in the town of Hawick that the people there have been taking more than their fair share in the last few months. Will the Minister consider shifting some exercises elsewhere after a suitable period?

Mr. Kershaw

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for explaining to his constituents how necessary this nuisance is. If deliberate low flying over Hawick or any other of the nine towns in the hon. Gentleman's constituency is proved, that is a matter for disciplinary action. If he will let me have specific details I will have the matter investigated.

Mr. Marten

How big does a town have to be before it qualifies as an urban area?

Mr. Kershaw

It has to be as big as Hawick.

Mr. John

Although I cannot use that as a convenient measuring stick, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to reconsider his decision? Low flying occurs in South Wales in the constituency of my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Aberavon (Mr. John Morris). Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider these extremely inconveniencing flights, which cause dislocation to civilian life in those parts?

Mr. Kershaw

I appreciate the discomfort which is caused. As far as possible we fly over areas which are less populated than others. That means that Wales and parts of Scotland are suitable for low-flying activities, and I am sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Sir G. de Freitas

In my constituency there are 69 villages, and the hon. Gentleman has written to me pointing out that it is a low-flying area. We object to that area constantly being used as a low-flying area. Why cannot we take it in turn with other areas?

Mr. Kershaw

If we always had to allocate low flying to a particular area, the people living in the area would be driven half out of their minds. Spreading the butter evenly makes it more palatable.