§ 3.5 p.m.
§ Lord Boyd-Carpenter asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether restrictions on low flying by the RAF in Germany are being imposed or threatened by the German Government.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (The Earl of Arran)My Lords, a general minimum height of 1,000 feet was introduced for military low flying in Germany in September 1990. Short exemptions were agreed for training related to the Gulf crisis but these expired in October last year. The German Government have recently indicated that they are willing to consider further exemptions for aircrew being deployed to the Gulf and for some other training.
§ Lord Boyd-CarpenterMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Can he say whether Her Majesty's Government are happy about restrictions of this kind on important low flying training being imposed on people who may well shortly risk their lives in the Gulf? If the German Government can do nothing else to help us, can they at least not hinder us?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, it would have been beneficial if the German Government had allowed us to continue our low flying there. Obviously we welcome the recent indications from them that they are prepared to consider a further request for exemption from the limit of 1,000 feet. At the moment we are examining our requirements in that light.
§ Lord MayhewMy Lords, does the noble Earl agree that the Gulf war has shown the extreme importance of this training? It takes a long time for a pilot to be proficient. In these circumstances, does the Minister regard the German Government's attitude as unsatisfactory and inappropriate to the situation in the Gulf?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, as I have already said, the German Government are reconsidering the request and we are putting new proposals to them. Yes, I completely agree with the noble Lord on the importance of the valour, courage, skill and professionalism that all our RAF pilots exercise in the Gulf.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, can the noble Earl tell the House whether the restrictions that are applied to our aircraft are also applicable to the aircraft of other nationalities operating in Germany, including German aircraft? Do the German Government apply any other operating restrictions on our aircraft?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, we are not alone in this. The German Government have indicated that the minimum low flying level is 1,000 feet, which applies to all other nations flying in German territory.
§ Lord Mackie of BenshieMy Lords, will the Minister confirm that far more low flying has taken place over Scotland than over Germany? Does he accept that the people of Scotland are glad that they have put up with the noise when they see the results?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that question. Scotland, as well as the rest of the country, has undergone considerable low flying in the past. However, the benefits from those endeavours are now seen.
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, can my noble friend tell us, with notice if necessary, whether German pilots are trained in low flying? If so, where?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, they are trained in low flying, but the German attitude is that a level of 1,000 feet is sufficient.
§ Lord AnnanMy Lords, is it not a fact that since Chancellor Kohl has taken a greater interest in foreign policy and not left everything to Herr Genscher, relations between this country and Germany have markedly improved?
§ The Earl of ArranMy Lords, I think that is another Question for another day.