§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he will take to protect members of the public from debris falling from aircraft, following the recent fall of a piece from a United States Air Force F-111 near Reach; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanDuring a routine USAF F-111 training flight on 26 October, the flap guide vane of one of the wings, comprising a small strip of light aluminium, became detached and fell to the ground near Reach, Cambridgeshire. No injury or property damage has been reported. All possible steps are taken to minimise the risk associated with military aircraft training of this kind, which is essential to NATO's policy of deterrence. These arrangements are kept under constant review.