§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reduction in low flying is planned for each tactical training area following his announcement on Monday 14 October; and if he will give the figure for the reduction in ultra low flying below 250 ft planned globally and for each tactical training area.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleOverall, we expect a decrease in operational low flying training (below 250 ft) over the next three years broadly in line with the reductions in front line squadrons flowing from our plans in "Britain's Defence for the '90s". It is not possible to say how this will affect the usage of individual tactical training areas.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a written statement to explain the reasons for reducing the level of tactical low flying over the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleI have nothing to add to the statement that I made to the House on 14 October at columns 114–15.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what aircraft will be involved in his decision to reduce the incidence of low flying.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleAs I explained in my statement to the House on 14 October at columns114–15}, the planned net reductions in low flying take account of the phasing out of Buccaneer, Phantom and Jet Provost aircraft; the introduction of the Tucano; reductions in the number of Tornado squadrons; and the withdrawal of USAF F-111 and A-10 aircraft from the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his decision to reduce the incidence of tactical low flying training will include a reduction in flights undertaken at night.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleChanges in the total requirement for night flying are still under consideration, taking account of factors such as the introduction of the Harrier304W GR7, for which night training is required, and possible changes in helicopter deployments. However, night flying will continue to be kept to an absolute minimum and organised so as to limit its impact on the public as far as possible.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many US air force aircraft and aircraft of other countries will now be allowed to practise tactical low flying across the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThe United Kingdom low flying system is primarily for low flying training by British military and United Kingdom-based United States air force aircraft. Low flying by other aircraft accounts for less than 2 per cent. of total low flying in the United Kingdom and is normally associated with exercises or exchange programmes where there is reciprocal benefit to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will initiate a public discussion about the merits and disadvantages of continuing to rely on low flying as a valid tactical manoeuvre.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThere are already many ways in which these issues can be raised in public.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the reasons why his decision to reduce tactical low flying will take three years to implement in full.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThe planned time scale for reducing the amount of low flying training reflects the reductions and changes flowing from our plans in "Britain's Defence for the 90s", the reductions proposed in United States air force aircraft based in this country and changes in aircraft used for training purposes.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the reduction in the amount of low flying will be spread evenly across the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThe planned reductions in low flying will not affect our policy of spreading this training as widely as possible.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his German counterparts about the impact made on the German air force's effectiveness following the German ban on low flying.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleNone.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many letters of complaint he has received as a result of tactical low flying in the United Kingdom during the last six months.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThe number of inquiries or complaints relating to military low flying training which my Department received over the six-month period 1 April to 30 September 1991 was 3,596.