Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the special rules zone around Bristol airport has not been designated as a low-flying avoidance area.
§ Mr. NeubertThere is no need specifically to designate the area around Bristol airport as a low flying avoidance area as aircraft are not allowed to enter regulated airspace without approval from the controlling authority.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the approximate current land area covered by low-flying area 7(T); and if he will list any changes made to the boundaries of this area since 1979;
755W(2) if he will make a statement on progress in talks with the Government of Morocco on the use of facilities in Morocco for low-level training by the Royal Air Force;
(3) over what proportion of the United Kingdom land surface military low-flying is permitted;
(4) at what height military aircraft are permitted to fly over urban areas which are not located within one of the avoidance areas or transit areas marked on the Civil Aviation Authority chart of United Kingdom areas of intense aerial activity, aerial tactics areas and military low-flying system;
(5) if he will make a statement on the criteria and methods used by the Royal Air Force police when surveying potential new areas for low-flying.
§ Mr. NeubertI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 24 January 1989 at columns555–56.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in(a) 1987 and (b) 1988 the military low-flying management group met to consider proposals for changes to the United Kingdom low-flying system.
§ Mr. NeubertThe military low-flying management group met on three occasions in 1987 and on four occasions in 1988 to consider and discuss a variety of matters concerning the United Kingdom low-flying system including proposals for minor changes to the system.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many civilian personnel from the national air traffic services serve on the military low-flying management group;
(2) if he will list those aircraft types for which central records are kept of low-flying sorties over the United Kingdom;
(3) if he will make a statement on the roles, responsibilities and staffing levels of the tactical booking cell, Royal Air Force West Drayton.
§ Mr NeubertI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 January 1989.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total number of low-flying movements in low-flying area 1A in each year since 1979, differentiating between(a) movements by fixed-wing aircraft and (b) movements by helicopters.
§ Mr. NeubertIt is not our practice to publish detailed information relating to specific low-flying training areas.