HC Deb 15 May 1989 vol 153 cc65-6W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by year since 1983 and for current year to date, the number of flights that have been authorised to fly over the Yorkshire mainland at a height less than that set out in joint service publication 318 and the United Kingdom military low-flying handbook, as provided in section 51(b) of the Air Force Act 1955; what were the comparable national figures for those years; what air forces were involved; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions were imposed on military low flying in the Lockerbie area in the period following the Pan Am crash on 21 December 1988; what was the radius of the restricted area; and on what date the restrictions were lifted.

Mr. Neubert

In the wake of the Lockerbie crash the Ministry of Defence took a number of steps in order to ensure that the citizens of Lockerbie and its environs were not disturbed by the activities of military aircraft carrying out routine training, including low flying, during follow-up work to the Pan Am crash. The position is being kept under careful and sensitive review in the light of circumstances in the area but it is not our practice to release detailed information on flying restrictions in individual areas.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in theOfficial Report figures showing (a) the total number of movements by low-flying military aircraft over southern Scotland in 1988, (b) the number of complaints about low-flying received from southern Scotland in 1988, (c) the number of complaints about low-flying received from the Borders area in 1988 and (d) the proportion of low-flying activity over the United Kingdom which took place over southern Scotland in 1988.

Mr. Neubert

I will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to undertake measurements of the noise generated by military aircraft flying at 100 ft above ground level.

Mr. Neubert

Apart from measurements during the course of noise surveys in the immediate vicinity of various military airfields, there are at present no such plans.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) over what proportion of low flying area 13, military jet aircraft are permitted to fly at less than 250 ft minimum separation distance;

(2) over what proportion of low flying area 13, Royal Air Force Harrier aircraft are permitted to fly at 85 ft minimum separation distance.

Mr. Neubert

Flying below 250 ft minimum separation distance (msd) is only permitted in that part of low flying area 13 which is included within the Borders tactical training area and only when operational low-flying training is taking place. As with all operational low-flying training the lowest minimum separation distance permitted is 100 ft.