HC Deb 24 July 1991 vol 195 cc701-3W
Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the reason for low flights by three aircraft over south Cardiff at 11.45 am on Saturday 13 July.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Military low-flying training is not normally carried out at weekends and public holidays. The aircraft referred to may, however, have been aircraft of the Red Arrows who took off from Cardiff airport in transit to a flying display elsewhere at about the same time mentioned.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the causes of the increase in flights at low level over the urban areas of Cardiff south and Penarth during recent months.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Military aircraft carrying out low-flying training are instructed not to overfly major urban conurbations such as Cardiff at low level although aircraft may transit some areas of the Cardiff, South and Penarth constituency at levels above 1,000 ft and, as elsewhere, the amount of activity may vary from time to time as a result of weather and other considerations.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there has been any change in regulations governing low-flying aircraft in south Wales in the past four years.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

The regulations governing the United Kingdom system, including south Wales, are under continuous review and are updated regularly.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made to the lateral boundaries of the highlands restricted area since its establishment; and whether any further such changes are under consideration.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

No changes have been made to the lateral boundaries of the Highlands restricted area since its establishment but all aspects of the United Kingdom low-flying system are kept under continuous review.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any changes to the boundaries of the tactical training areas have been considered by the military low-flying management group since the beginning of 1989.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

There have been no changes to the boundaries of the tactical training areas in the period concerned.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the nature and purpose of the low-flying exercise held in the Forest of Dean/Vale of Berkeley area, commencing on 20 May; how many and what types of aircraft took part; and what measures were applied to ensure that participating pilots did not infringe the Stroud gap transit area, the Nympsfield gliding site, the Slimbridge bird sanctuary, and the avoidance areas around the Oldbury and Berkeley nuclear power stations.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

No low-flying training exercises took place in the Forest of Dean/Vale of Berkeley area on the date concerned. An exercise was held by Bristol university air squadron from 20 to 24 May, in the area concerned, which was subject to relevant United Kingdom low-flying regulations and for which an airspace co-ordination notice was issued by the national air traffic services.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what lateral and vertical distances military pilots are instructed to avoid the village of Penrhyndeudraeth.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

It is not our practice to release detailed information on flying restrictions in individual areas. Military fast jet aircraft are instructed to avoid flying at low level over the centre of major conurbations and built up areas but it is not practicable to guarantee to avoid smaller communities such as Penrhyndeudraeth although aircrew will avoid populated areas wherever possible.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying exercises were conducted which involved low flying over north Wales between(a) 15 July 1990 to 15 January 1991, (b) 16 January to 28 February and (c) 1 March to 31 May.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

There were no low-flying training exercises conducted over north Wales between the dates specified, although routine low-flying training would have taken place in the area throughout the period.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying exercises(a) under 100 ft or (b) under 250 ft were conducted by United Kingdom forces in each week of the hostilities in the Gulf.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Low-flying training in the United Kingdom under 250 ft by fixed-wing military aircraft is restricted to the three tactical training areas where aircraft are allowed to fly down to a minimum separation distance of 100 ft. Available central records for usage of the areas concerned in January and February 1991 were given in the written answer to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 15 July 1991 at column94.