HC Deb 19 May 1988 vol 133 cc528-9W
Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations were received from Scotland relating to low-flying activity by Tornado aircraft from Royal Air Force, Germany during the Salmond trophy competition on 14 October 1987.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 21 April 1988]: Nine.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the numbers and types of aircraft involved and the areas used for low flying by Royal Air Force aircraft participating in the Salmond trophy competition in each year since 1979; and what proportion of the low flying during the Salmond trophy competition in each year was conducted during the period between sunset plus 30 minutes and sunrise minus 30 minutes.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 21 April 1988]: The exercise referred to as the Salmond trophy is one of the RAF's annual navigational and bombing exercises for RAF Germany squadrons. The exercise has taken place only in 1979, 1986 and 1987. The information requested is as follows:

Salmond Trophy
Year and number of aircraft Types of aircraft Areas used for low flying Proportion of low flying during night Per cent.
1979
not available Harriers, Jaguars, Buccaneers Federal Republic of Germany No night flying
1986
24 Tornado Federal Republic of Germany, United Kingdom and Danish coastal waters 127
1987
24 Tornado Federal Republic of Germany and United Kingdom 127
1 All between 7.30 pm and 9.30 pm.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if there are any plans to commence night low-level flying by Hercules aircraft in the Scottish Highlands; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 21 April 1988]: Hercules aircraft are already permitted to carry out low-level flying at night in the Scottish Highlands.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what aircraft types, and from which air forces, are currently permitted to conduct night low-level terrain following instrument flying in the north-west Scotland tactical training area.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 21 April 1988]: I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Highlands restricted area, in which low-flying training using terrain-following radar takes place. RAF Tornado and Hercules aircraft and USAF F-111 and USAFE C-130 aircraft are currently permitted to carry out such training, both during the day and at night.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the functions and activities of the military low-flying management group.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 26 April 1988]: The military low-flying management group is a Ministry of Defence group which, acting within established policy guidelines, is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the United Kingdom military low-flying system.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the bodies represented on the military low-flying management group.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 5 May 1988]: No outside bodies are represented on the military low-flying management group.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the land area of England is included within the United Kingdom low-flying system.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 5 May 1988]: The whole of the land area of England is included within the United Kingdom low-flying system.