HC Deb 03 February 1989 vol 146 cc446-7W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list in theOfficial Report the number of low-level flights in low flying area 20(T) for each year since 1979;

(2) if he will list in the Official Report the number of low-level flights in low flying area 16 for each year since 1979;

(3) if he will list in the Official Report the number of low-level flights in low flying area 13 for each year since 1979;

(4) if he will list in the Official Report the number of low-level flights in low flying area 12 for each year since 1979.

Mr. Neubert

It is not our practice to publish detailed information relating to specific low-flying training areas.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if low flying at less than 250 ft is permitted during any phase of the Mallet Blow series of exercises; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert

Apart from flying within the range areas being used for the Mallet Blow exercises when aircraft are permitted to descend below 250 ft during the final approaches to a target, no low flying at less than 250 ft s currently carried out during the Mallet Blow series of exercises.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the aircraft types permitted to fly at less than 250 ft over the United Kingdom.

Mr. Neubert

Fixed-wing flying below 250 ft is not formally limited to particular aircraft types, but in practice approval for such flying is normally granted only for aircraft whose operational role requires such low level flights. Helicopters may operate below 250 ft anywhere in the United Kingdom subject to the constraints of the United Kingdom low flying system's regulations.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying sorties were flown on Saturdays in each year since 1979; and how many of these were flown by fast jet aircraft.

Mr. Neubert

The information requested could not be provided without disproportionate effort and cost.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent consideration he has given to the relocation of some low-flying exercises.

Mr. Neubert

The most appropriate location for exercises involving low-flying training are kept under continuing review in the light of the desirability of maximising training value and spreading potential disturbance as equitably as possible.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the speed, height and purpose of the low-level flight over the built-up area of Tranent at 2.51 pm on Tuesday 31 January.

Mr. Neubert

Without additional information concerning the incident, such as type—for example, jet, propeller driven, helicopter—and number of aircraft, I regret I am unable to provide the information requested. If the hon. Member would care to write to me with this information, I would be happy to have the alleged incident investigated.