HC Deb 07 July 1988 vol 136 cc693-4W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what limits are imposed by the West German authorities on the number of low-flying sorties conducted by British military aircraft over the Federal Republic of Germany.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 5 May 1988]: Within the seven areas in the Federal Republic of Germany, where low-flying aircraft are permitted to operate down to 250 ft, weekly allocations are notified to British users. Otherwise no specific limits on sortie numbers are imposed.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the Federal

Crude birth rate (live births per 1,000 resident population), England, 1980–86
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986
England 13.3 12.8 12.6 12.7 12.8 13.1 13.2
Health Authority
Northern RHA 13.4 12.8 12.6 12.6 12.7 13.2 13.1
Hartlepool n/a 13.2 13.5 13.6 14.5 14.2 15.0
North Tees n/a 15.1 14.7 14.4 15.4 14.9 14.7

Republic of Germany about flying accidents and low-flying by United Kingdom and other NATO airplanes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the West German Government in regard to Royal Air Force low-level flying over the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answers 26 May 1988 and 7 June 1988]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces have each received representations from their Federal German counterparts recently about different aspects of military low flying. We will continue to do our best to ensure that any disturbance caused by this essential activity in the United Kingdom, the Federal Repulbic of Germany, or elsewhere, is reduced to an absolute minimum.