§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received regarding an incident involving a Tornado cutting a power line near Carsphairn on 26 November; what information he now has about the incident; what action he is taking as a result; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleIn addition to the hon. Member's letter of 29 November, we have received one other. A unit inquiry was held immediately after the incident, and confirmed that a Tornado GR1 aircraft struck a wire near Dalmellington at approximately 11.50 am on 26 November, while undertaking a properly authorised sortie in the Borders tactical training area. The aircrew were authorised to fly at a minimum separation distance of 100 ft above the ground or obstacles. The inquiry judged that the aircraft was 100 ft or more above the ground when it struck the wire. Following the inquiry, the aircrew were formally interviewed by higher authority before departing for operational duties in the Gulf.