§ Mr. Nottasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the British or foreign service aircraft which have flown at supersonic speeds in the Land's End area within the past 10 days.
§ Mr. FoleySupersonic flying by Service aircraft for training purposes is normally carried out over the sea in such a way that no disturbance is caused on land.
During the last 10 days 12 flights at supersonic speed were made by Royal Naval aircraft over the sea in the Land's End area. On about three of these occasions the aircraft were inadvertently flown too close to the coast and I greatly regret any disturbance caused. We have taken action which should prevent a repetition of these incidents.
No foreign Service aircraft have been authorised to fly at supersonic speed in the Land's End area.