§ Mr. Cyril D. Townsendasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints were received from the Government of the Republic of Ireland concerning overflying of their territory by British military planes and helicopters during the year ended 30 April; and what was the average depth of these incursions.
§ Sir Ian GilmourI have been asked to reply.
During the year ending 30 April 1979 the Government of the Republic of Ireland notified Her Majesty's Government of 20 reported unauthorised overflights of their territory by British military aircraft. Each such notification was carefully investigated. In those cases where an overflight was confirmed—all of which were due to navigational error—the average depth of the incursion was 200 yards.