HC Deb 23 January 1991 vol 184 cc255-7W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what powers Her Majesty's Government have to take disciplinary action against pilots of allied air forces who are found to have breached low-flying regulations in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Her Majesty's Government have no disciplinary jursidiction over personnel of other air forces. If, however, personnel of a NATO member state based in the United Kingdom were to breach our low-flying regulations, legal jurisdiction for disciplinary proceeding would be dealt with under the NATO status of forces agreement and the Visiting Forces Act 1952. If personnel from another country not based in the United Kingdom were to breach these regulations, they would be dealt with under the arrangements contained in the memorandum of understanding with that, particular country.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many operational low-flying movements were authorised in the borders tactical training area on Saturday 11 August 1990.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Ten.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research has been conducted by his Department on the impact of noise from low-flying aircraft on deer stalking activities.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

None.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the visits by aircraft from the 57 fighter interceptor squadron, United States air force, to RAF Leuchars on 16 to 19 July 1990; and what authorisation was given to these aircraft to carry out low flying over the United Kingdom.

the United Kingdom between January and June 1990. The joint air miss working group has not yet completed its assessments for the remainder of 1990.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

There were no such visits.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when No. 4 Squadron Royal Air Force first commenced night low-level training on the Harrier GR7; and if he will list the countries in which such training has so far taken place.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

No. 4 Squadron Royal Air Force has not yet commenced night low-level training on the Harrier GR7.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying movements were authorised in the borders tactical training area in each month from the earliest available records to the latest available date; and if he will provide a breakdown of the figures from September 1989 onwards into movements in the eastern and western parts of the borders tactical training area.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

The borders tactical training area was formally incorporated into the United Kingdom low-flying system in 1984. Low-flying movements authorised in the area in each month from January 1984 to December 1987 are as follows:

1984 1985 1986 1987
January 0 94 42 85
February 3 63 196 98
March 0 16 24 129
April 0 0 10 247
May 0 0 0 16
June 0 0 28 0
July 0 0 26 0
August 0 0 0 0
September 0 0 24 11
October 50 0 248 23
November 60 0 0 0
December 78 0 0 17

The number of low-flying movements authorised in the borders tactical training area in 1988 and 1989 were provided in the reply given to the hon. Member on 19 December 1990 at column 208, and for the period January to October 1990 in the reply given on 3 December 1990 at column 48.

The numbers of low-flying movements authorised in the eastern and western parts of the borders tactical training area since September 1989 are as follows:

Borders Tactical Training Area
East West
1989
September 181 135
October 57 47
November 17 21
December 0 0
1990
January 78 71
February 191 156
March 234 179
April 117 99
May 94 91
June 68 0
July 36 36
August 318 212
September 397 317
October 411 298
November 365 260
December 121 94