§ Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of low-flying movements in the highlands restricted area in each year since 1981; and what information he has on the breakdown of these figures by aircraft type.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleI have nothing to add to the answer that my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 22 December 1988 at column369.
§ Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions United States air force units stationed in the United Kingdom have been granted permission to fly at less than 250 ft over the United Kingdom during work-up training for red flag exercises in the United States of America; and what is his current policy on the granting of such permission.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThere are no records of United States air force units stationed in the United Kingdom ever having been authorised to carry out operational low flying training at less than 250 ft over the United Kingdom during work-up training for red flag exercises in the United States. My Department's general policy on such training remains as set out in evidence to the Defence Committee last year (HC 120/90, pp. 12–13).
§ Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations he has received in the last year on the subject of low flying.
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§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleI refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 15 July at column94.
§ Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if aircrews are permitted to select towns or villages as turning points when planning the route of a low-flying sortie.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleAll aspects of a low-flying sortie, including the choice of turning points, are subject to regulations on the avoidance of populated areas which are designed to minimise disturbance to the general public.
§ Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the measures taken by his Department to ensure that United States forces stationed in the United Kingdom are complying with the regulations and advice set out in the United Kingdom military low flying handbook.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleAircraft of the United States air force stationed in the United Kingdom and using the United Kingdom low flying system are subject to the same monitoring as the Royal Air Force to ensure compliance with United Kingdom low flying regulations.
§ Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any further United States air force low-flying training at less than 250 ft over Wales has been authorised since the reply given to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 19 December 1990,Official Report, column 208.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleNo operational low flying training at less than 250 ft has been authorised over Wales for United States air force aircraft since the reply in question.