§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which two 10ft x 2ft fuel containers were dropped at Stowford Cross in North Devon on Thursday 29 June; and what steps he is taking to prevent this happening in the future.
§ Mr. NeubertThe fuel containers in question were jettisoned by a Royal Navy Sea Harrier operating from the Royal Naval air station at Yeovilton, while the aircraft was on an air combat training exercise. The aircraft unintentionally went into a spin and the pilot, following the correct procedures, released the fuel tanks as part of his spin recovery action. The fuel tanks were empty at the time. A local investigation has established that the pilot was not in breach of any regulations.
To minimise the risk to the public, air combat training is carried out over the least populated areas available and always well away from towns and cities. It is also very rare for a Sea Harrier to enter into a spin in this way. The risk therefore of a repetition of this incident or of any consequent injury to persons on the ground is considered to be remote.