Low Flying (Hansard, 11 June 1990)

§ Mr. Cox
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which countries the United Kingdom has agreements to hold low-flying exercises.

§ Mr. Neubert
Under long-standing arrangements, the Royal Air Force carries out low flying training in the United States and Canada (including a significant proportion of training under 250 ft). RAF aircraft stationed in the Federal Republic of Germany also carry out a high proportion of their training in the FRG. Small amounts of low flying may also be carried out in other NATO countries and elsewhere by mutual agreement.

§ Mr. Cox
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to his Department for low flying facilities used by the Royal Air Force in Labrador and Quebec.

§ Mr. Neubert
Payments to Canada for Royal Air Force low flying facilities over Labrador and Quebec in the year 1988–89, the latest year for which final bills have been presented, were £5.5993 million.

§ Mr. McGrady
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many farmers have received compensation in respect of damage to livestock caused by the activities of low-flying helicopters from 1 April 1989 to 31 March 90 and from 1 April 1990 to 30 April 1990;
(2) how many farmers have claimed compensation in respect of damage to livestock caused by the activities of low-flying helicopters from 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990 and from 1 April 1990 to 30 April 1990.

§ Mr. Neubert
Information is not available in the precise form requested and could not be established without disproportionate cost. However, during the period 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1990, 731 claims arising from the activities of low flying helicopters were settled. The figure for 1 April 1990 was 72.

§ Mr. McGrady
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of low-flying military aircraft over rural areas in South Down.
32W

§ Mr. Neubert
There are currently no fixed wing military aircraft undertaking low flying in the South Down area for either operational or training purposes. Flights by military helicopters are carried out for operational reasons, in order to support the RUC in the fight against terrorism. Helicopters are an essential part of the security forces effort to counter the terrorists threat, which in South Down has resulted in the murder of seven soldiers in recent months. Helicopters may need to fly low for operational or weather reasons. I regret the inconvenience that this may cause some of the hon. Member's constituents but I can assure him that low flying is kept to a minimum.