HC Deb 08 July 1966 vol 731 cc109-10W
Mr. Concannon

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will stop the practice of allowing Royal Air Force training flights to fly low over Welbeck Colliery Village, Warsop and Mansfield Woodhouse.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Low flying is an essential part of operational training. The Royal Air Force is, however, very conscious of the need to cause the minimum overall disturbance, consistent with operational and safety requirements, and to this end low flying is done away from the main centres of population so far as possible. It is not, however, practicable completely to avoid all inhabited areas and I very much regret the unavoidable disturbance that may occur from time to time in the places to which my hon. Friend refers.