§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the minimum rank in the prison service which is approved to request and the minimum rank in the RAF which can approve low-level air passes over prisons; and what provisions exist to protect the local population from noise pollution. [16253]
§ Mr. SoamesThere are no regulations specific to the request for, and approval of, low-level passes over prisons; the circumstances behind the overflights of Stocken prison on 27 September 1994 were unique. I have nothing further to add to my answers of 1 December 1994,Official Report, column 906, 10 January, Official Report, column 105 and 13 February Official Report, col. 545.