§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the minimum authorised altitudes for the flights by two German Air Force Tornados from RAF Lakenheath on the evening of 26 July.
§ Mr. HanleyTwo thousand feet.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the deployment of Italian Air Force Tornados to RAF Honington from(a) 23–24 July 1992 and (b) 12 July to 6 August 1993; what was the date of their departure and their destination; how many low-level sorties they undertook in the United Kingdom; and what was their minimum authorised altitude while flying in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HanleyItalian Air Force Tornado aircraft were deployed to RAF Honington between 23 July and 7 August 1992, and between 12 July and 6 August 1993, to conduct low-flying training and use the electonic weapons training range at Spadeadam. The aircraft subsequently returned to bases in Italy. The number of low-level sorties flown during these deployments could not be provided without disproportionate cost and effort. The aircraft were athorised to operate down to 500 ft in the United Kingdom low-flying system.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decisions have been taken concerning the viability of repairing Tornado GRI serial number ZA597 since its accident in November 1983.
§ Mr. HanleyThe Royal Air Force decided, based on an assessment carried out in 1983 on the damage incurred, that it was viable to repair the aircraft.