§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many fast jet low-level sorties were flown by British military aircraft over the Federal Republic of Germany in 1989; and how many movements by such aircraft through the West German 250 ft areas were recorded;
(2) how many low-level sorties were flown by British military fast jet aircraft over the Federal Republic of Germany between 1 January and 16 September inclusive; and how many movements by such aircraft through the West German 250 ft areas were recorded.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThis information is not available in the precise form requested but Royal Air Force Germany carried out some 14,000 fixed-wing low-level sorties over the Federal Republic of Germany in 1989 and some 9,000 sorties between 1 January and 16 September 1990. The numbers of recorded entries into the 250 ft low-flying areas in the Federal Republic of Germany over the same periods were 21,100 and 15,600 respectively. Individual sorties may incorporate several entries into the flying areas.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the figures for low-flying sorties by aircraft type, 623W provided in his reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) of 26 July, Official Report, columns 527–28, include sorties by F-4, Jaguar and Tornado aircraft operated by foreign air forces.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleYes.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if allied aircraft participating in unit exchange visits to the United Kingdom are permitted to fly over the United Kingdom at 250 ft.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleNATO squadrons carrying out Headquarters Allied Air Forces Central Europe approved exchange visits to the United Kingdom are normally permitted to use the United Kingdom low-flying system subject to appropriate regulations.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what definition is used for centre, expressed as a radius in nautical miles, in the instructions to pilots concerning overflight of the centres of major conurbations and built-up areas in the United Kingdom low-flying system.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleAs the Government's response to the Defence Committee's report on low flying made clear, (HC659, page v) the instructions are not expressed in terms of any specific radius.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the regulatory measures introduced for foreign aircraft flying at low level in the United Kingdom since 17 September.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleStrict controls have always applied to flying in the United Kingdom low flying system by any foreign aircraft based outside the United Kingdom and full account is taken of any restrictions applied in the aircraft's country of origin. This remains the case.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 1 January low flying over the United Kingdom has been permitted on Saturdays and Sundays; and how many sorties were booked on those occasions.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleI regret that the information requested is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost and effort.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the differences between the basis of recording low flying movements in the borders tactical training area(a) before and (b) after July 1988.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleI have nothing to add to the reply which my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Neubert) gave to the hon. Member on 20 July 1989, at column316.