§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how his policy on the release of information concerning low-flying avoidance areas has changed since the introduction of the new open government measures.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonMy Department will continue to provide information on how to apply for avoidance status and on matters taken into account when applications are considered; applicants are informed of the decision in all cases. Our policy continues to be based on the considerations set out in the Government's reply—HC 659, October 1990, page v—to the Defence Committee's report on low flying.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of low-flying sorties by aircraft type for each month of 1992 to date.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe information for the period January 1992 to April 1992, the most recent month for which figures are available, is as follows:
Numbers of Sorties Aircraft type January February March April Buccaneer 153 153 95 116 F-4 87 167 61 115 Harrier 511 698 433 541 Hawk 1,298 1,563 1,529 1.500 Jaguar 403 647 761 426 Jet Provost 567 730 669 615 Tornado 1,704 2,174 2,232 1.879 Tucano 348 422 349 273 A-10 442 522 586 542 F-15 0 0 4 14 F-111 633 693 916 858 Other aircraft(including helicopters) 3,482 4,922 5,541 3,696 Monthly total sorties 9,628 12,691 13,176 10.575
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to measure the noise levels generated by the F 15E aircraft at low level.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonWe hope to measure the noise generated by the F15E aircraft at low level later this year.