HC Deb 14 July 1986 vol 101 cc428-9W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what reason an aircraft carrying United Kingdom military personnel en route to the Falkland Islands landed at an airport in Brazil on 24 June; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will make a statement as to what negotiations preceded the arrangement whereby a TriStar carrying United Kingdom military personnel en route to the Falklands was escorted by three Brazilian fighter aircraft through Brazilian airspace on 24 June;

(3) whether the airfield in Brazil used to land by a TriStar aircraft carrying United Kingdom military personnel en route to the Falklands on 24 June was a military airfield; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Stanley

Severe weather conditions at Mount Pleasant airport caused the RAF TriStar, en route from Ascension Island to the Falklands, to divert to Canoas military airfield in Brazil. I understand that Brazilian military aircraft were operating in the vicinity of the airfield at the time but did not provide an escort for the RAF TriStar. The RAF in operating these flights to the Falklands adopt normal internationally agreed safety rules and procedures for weather diversions applying to civil aircraft. Such diversions therefore require no prior negotiations with the country receiving the diverted aircraft other than normal air traffic control procedures.