HC Deb 13 June 1990 vol 174 cc241-2W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what Royal Air Force participation is planned in exercises (1) Green Flag 90–4 and (2) Red Flag 90–5; how many and what types of RAF aircraft will take part; and how many work-up training sorties will be conducted in the United Kingdom in preparation for these exercises;

(2) what joint work-up training between French air force and Royal Air Force Jaguar units took place in Britain prior to the French participation in exercise Red Flag 90–3.

Mr. Neubert

None.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the planned dates and locations of the main United Kingdom air activity, for exercises(a) Central Enterprise, (b) Mallet Blow, (c) OSEX, (d) Salty Hammer and (e) Elder Joust, during 1990.

Mr. Neubert

The information requested is as follows:

Exercise Dates Locations
(a) Central Enterprise 18–22 June 1990 No significant activity in the United Kingdom
(b) Mallet Blow 26–30 March and 30 July—3 August 1990. North England and Borders
(c) OSEX 9–13 July 1990 Mid and North Wales, North Lancashire and South Cumbria
(d) Salty Hammer 22 May 1990 North England and South Scotland
(e) Elder Joust 2–3 October 1990 East Scotland and North and East England

There are some minor variations against the planned dates given to the hon. Member on 3 April (columns 595–98.)

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations have been made to the United States authorities(a) to relax the minimum height restrictions for sorties in the first two days of Red/Green Flag exercises in respect of Royal Air Force aircrew already qualified to fly at 100 ft and (b) to relax the regulation prohibiting offensive or defensive manoeuvring below 300 ft for Royal Air Force aircraft participating in Red or Green Flag exercises.

Mr. Neubert

None.