§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are scheduled to take part in Exercise Northaxe 2/90; and what overland flying activity is planned during the exercise;
(2) what use is being made of (a) Stornoway airport, (b) Benbecula airport and (c) the Cape Wrath ranges as part of Exercise Northaxe 2/90.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonSome 74 aircraft took part in Northaxe 2/90. Overland flying during the exercise was limited to transiting to and from Stornoway airport (to collect mail, stores and passengers for ships at sea), navigation training over north-west Scotland and the use of the Cape Wrath range. Benbecula airport was used as a diversion airfield.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many surface vessels and submarines are scheduled to take part in Exercise Northaxe 2/90; and what warnings have been issued to mariners about activities connected with this exercise.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonEleven vessels were involved in the exercise. Warnings of activity in the area round the Cape Wrath range between 6 and 9 March were issued to fishermen. It is not our normal practice to issue notices to mariners for exercises of this sort.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions have been given to military aircrew concerning interceptions of civilian air traffic during Exercise Northaxe.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonMilitary aircraft engaged on operational exercises have no instructions to intercept civilian aircraft and, in accordance with normal practice, aircrew have been instructed to avoid civilian aircraft during Exercise Northaxe.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of Exercise Northaxe 2/90; which nations are participating in the exercise; whether it is part of a regular series of exercises; and what plans exist to hold future Northaxe exercises in the region of the Minch.
333W
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonNorthaxe 2/90 is a primarily naval exercise which enables participant forces, all British, to practise their various anti-submarine and air defence roles. Northaxe exercises generally take place annually and one is provisionally planned for 1991.