HC Deb 12 January 1989 vol 144 c715W
Dr. Reid

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what flow control exists in the low-flying corridor between Edinburgh and Glasgow; and on what date such flow control measures were introduced.

Mr. Neubert

A one-way south east to north west flow pattern was established to the west of Falkirk in August 1988 for military aircraft below 2,000 ft.

Dr. Reid

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many air misses occurred at less than 2,000 ft outside controlled airspace in the area between Edinburgh and Glasgow in 1987 and 1988; and how many of these involved (i) two military aircraft, (ii) a military aircraft and a civil aircraft and (iii) two civil aircraft.

Mr. Neubert

There were no such air misses reported in this area in 1987. One such air miss report, involving three military and one civilian aircraft, was filed on 10 August 1988. A second such air miss report, involving one military and one civilian aircraft, was filed on 18 November 1988. Both reports are being investigated by the joint air miss section of the National Air Traffic Services and the observations of the joint air miss working group will be published in due course.

Dr. Reid

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration is being given to alteration of the structure and boundaries of the United Kingdom low-flying system in the Edinburgh-Glasgow area.

Mr. Neubert

Whilst the operation of the United Kingdom military low flying system is kept under continuous review, there are currently no plans to alter the structure of the system in the Edinburgh-Glasgow area.

Dr. Reid

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying military aircraft movements were recorded in the gap between the Edinburgh and Glasgow avoidance areas in each year since 1979.

Mr. Neubert

Information on low-flying military aircraft movements is recorded on the basis of low-flying areas. It is not available for the area between Glasgow and Edinburgh, which forms only a part of a low flying area covering much of southern Scotland.

Dr. Reid

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what instructions are given to military pilots concerning low flying over the town of Harthill;

(2) what instructions are given to military pilots concerning low flying over the town of Shotts.

Mr. Neubert

Military pilots are instructed to avoid overflying the centre of major conurbations and built-up areas at low level athough we cannot guarantee to avoid small communities such as Shotts and Harthill. Pilots will, however, make every effort to avoid populated areas wherever possible.

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