§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the six-month trial of the revised military night-flying system introduced in October 1988.
§ Mr. NeubertA revised military night low level flying system was introduced last year on a six-month trial basis.552W The trial period has now ended and the operation of the revised system has been reviewed. The review concluded that the revised arrangements were successful in increasing the co-ordination of activity at night and improving deconfliction procedures and that, with some refinements to improve utilisation, the revised system should therefore be retained. It is planned that the further refinements, which include centralising the co-ordination of the system and the responsibility for deconfliction at the tactical booking centre at RAF West Drayton, will be introduced from 1 June this year.