§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the expedition mounted by seven RAF aircraft over the Carnoch Glen in Knoydart, north-west Scotland, on the afternoon of Wednesday, 28 May; what was the cost to the public purse of this expedition; whether any speed or noise limitations are placed upon aircraft taking part in such exercises; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanIt has not been possible from the information provided to identify the aircraft. There were, however, no special exercises involving low-flying military aircraft in north-west Scotland during the afternoon of 28 May, and it is probable that the aircraft were engaged in routine day-to-day low-flying training, the cost of which is contained in the training budget. Routine low-flying rules restrict aircraft to no faster than 450 knots, with a minimum height of normally no lower than 250 ft.