HC Deb 19 June 1989 vol 155 cc58-9W
Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft from the fleet requirements and air direction unit will operate from Stornoway airport during the forthcoming military exercise.

Mr. Neubert

No aircraft of the fleet requirement and air direction unit are planned to operate from Stornoway airport during the forthcoming military exercise.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many military aircraft, other than Phantoms and Tornados, and from which units, will operate from Stornoway airport during the forthcoming military exercise;

(2) how many military personnel will be deployed to Stornoway airport during the forthcoming military exercise;

(3) how many Phantom aircraft, and from which units, will operate from Stornoway airport during the forthcoming military exercise;

(4) how many Tornado aircraft, and from which units, will operate from Stornoway airport during the forthcoming military exercise;

(5) what instructions are being issued to military pilots making use of Stornoway airport in the forthcoming military exercise concerning the carrying out of run and break manoeuvres prior to landing;

(6) what is the planned number of military jet sorties to be flown into and out of Stornoway airport during the forthcoming military exercise (a) per day and (b) in total; and how many of these are planned to take place between the hours of 5 pm and 7 am;

(7) what is the stipulated circuit height for military jet aircraft using Stornoway airport during periods of military control of the airfield.

Mr. Neubert

From 20 June to 3 July, six Tornados from No. 11 Squadron, RAF Leeming and one Sea King from No. 202 Squadron, RAF Manston, accompanied by 175 personnel, will deploy to RAF Stornoway. During 21 to 22 June and 30 June to 3 July, support will be provided by a small number of Hercules transport sorties. Between 22 to 29 June, it is planned that the Tornados will fly some 52 sorties, normally six to eight each day. An average of two sorties each day will be between 5 pm and 10.45 pm, but there will be no flying between 10.45 pm and 7 am, and no flying at all on Sunday 25 June. The Sea King helicopter will undertake a small number of sorties as required.

All flying will be conducted in accordance with normal RAF regulations. Aircrew will be briefed fully on local conditions. The stipulated circuit height for Tornados flying the Westerly circuit at Stornoway (largely over land) is 1,100 ft: for the Easterly circuit (largely over sea) it is 800 ft. With regard to run and break manoeuvres, I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 10 March, Official Report, column 675.