HC Deb 23 January 1990 vol 165 cc585-6W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many low-flying sorties by military jet aircraft of the NATO air forces, were carried out for the last year for which he has figures; and what were the figures for(a) five years and (b) 10 years ago;

(2) how many low-flying sorties by military jet aircraft of the Royal Air Force were carried out for the last year for which he has figures; and what was the figure (a) five years and (b) 10 years ago.

Mr. Neubert

Central records are not held in a form which would allow the information requested to be readily provided. Of the total number of low-flying sorties carried out in the United Kingdom low flying system in 1988, 84 per cent. were carried out by British military aircraft, 15 per cent. by United States aircraft based in the United Kingdom and under 2 per cent. by other NATO aircraft and others by special agreement.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are(a) the minimum and (b) the maximum heights authorised by his Department for low-flying sorties by military jet aircraft over the United Kingdom.

Mr. Neubert

Low-flying training by military jet aircraft in the United Kingdom low flying system normally take place between the heights of 2,000 ft and 250 ft. A limited amount of training by military jet aircraft is also authorised down to 100 ft in three specially designated areas in northern Scotland, central Wales and the Borders.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the criteria laid down by his Department for low-flying sorties by military jet aircraft over the United Kingdom, carried out by(a) the Royal Air Force and (b) other NATO air forces.

Mr. Neubert

The United Kingdom low flying system is primarily reserved for low-flying training by British military and United Kingdom-based United States air force aircraft. Other NATO air forces carry out some limited low-flying training in the United Kingdom, normally associated with exercises or on an exchange basis, but this element accounts for under 2 per cent. of the total low-flying activity in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there has been any increase in the amount of low-flying activity over the Hexham constituency during the past year and during the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert

Central records are not held in a form which would allow the information requested to be provided. The overall amount of low-flying activity in the United Kingdom did, however, increase in the years up to 1986, largely as a result of the introduction into service of the Tornado GR1 aircraft, but has been reasonably constant since then. I have no reason to believe that this position was not reflected in the Hexham constituency.