Sea Harriers (Hansard, 4 December 1989)

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what heights Sea Harrier aircraft overflew the Thames and surrounding area on 11 November.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The flypast over the Thames was at approximately 1,000ft.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hours' flight time were used by the Sea Harrier aircraft to travel between their base and the Thames on 11 November.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The aircraft took off from Yeovilton at 13.24 and landed there again at 14.21.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of the overflight of the Thames by Royal Navy Sea Harrier aircraft on 11 November.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
It is not our practice to give information on the costs of individual flights.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any of the costs to the Royal Navy of the overflight of the Thames by Sea Harrier aircraft on 11 November were reimbursed by the organisers of the Lord Mayor's show.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
No. The flight was regarded as having training value.

§ Mr. Cohen
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who instigated the overflight of the Thames by Royal Navy Sea Harrier aircraft on 11 November; and whether ministerial approval was given before the flypast.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The flypast was at the request of the pageantmaster of the Lord Mayor's show, and was approved at the appropriate level within the Ministry of Defence.