§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-level flights have been made over each of the national parks in each quarter of 1975 and in the first three months of 1976.
§ Mr. William RodgersI regret that the information cannot be provided without a disproportionate amount of effort, as no separate records are kept of flights over national parks.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the areas of outstanding natural beauty which are overflown within a distance of two nautical miles by low-level training flights.
§ Mr. WellbelovedSome 20 per cent. of the area of England and Wales outside built-up areas consists of national parks or areas of outstanding natural beauty. Moreover, this 20 per cent. tends to be more thinly populated than the rest of the country and inevitably, therefore, if the disturbance caused by low-level flights to indigenous populations is to be minimised these areas must bear their share. The incidence of low-flying changes from time to time and areas of outstanding natural beauty are apt to be affected, though restrictions on the height and maximum speed are imposed in order to keep the disturbance to a minimum. If my hon. Friend has in mind a problem at any particular locality I should be glad to look into it.