HC Deb 02 February 1996 vol 270 cc996-7W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts have been made to obtain authorisation from the Moroccan authorities for flights at less than 300 ft about ground level during Royal Air Force deployments to that country. [12890]

Mr. Soames

I regret to advise that my answer of 30 November,Official Report, column 811, concerning the minimum permitted altitude of RAF training deployments to Morocco during 1995 was incorrectly stated as 300 ft above ground level. On further investigation it has been established that we received approval to carry out low flying training at a minimum height of 200 ft above ground level. In the event, though, the RAF only flew sorties down to 250 ft.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what weapons and electronic warfare range facilities are available to the Royal Air Force under the arrangements with the Moroccan authorities for bilateral exercises. [12888]

Mr. Soames

None.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates, numbers and types of aircraft involved, numbers of sorties and minimum permitted altitudes for all Royal Air Force deployments to Morocco since November 1995; and what is the date of the next scheduled deployment. [12889]

Mr. Soames

There have been no RAF deployments to Morocco since November 1995. Further deployments remain under consideration, but none have yet been scheduled.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 30 November,Official Report, column 811, which other nations participated in the training exercise in Morocco in April 1995; and what arrangements have been established with other air forces for co-ordination of future training deployments to Morocco. [12915]

Mr. Soames

The arrangements with Morocco referred to in my answer of 30 November,Official Report, column 811, are bilateral in nature. No other nations participated in the low flying training exercise held in Morocco in April 1995 and no arrangements have been made with other Governments to co-ordinate future training deployments to Morocco.