HC Deb 17 January 1994 vol 235 c440W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates, locations, aircraft types and circumstances of all incidents occurring in each year since 1988 in which a public complaint about low flying led to an investigation which concluded that the aircraft concerned was in breach of low flying regulations.

Mr. Hanley

The information requested could not be provided without disproportionate cost and effort.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what comparative statistical information on the safety record of different air forces while flying in Flag exercises underlay the statement in his Department's memorandum to the Committee of Public Accounts inquiry into low flying training—HC 241-i, Session 1989–90, appendix 1, paragraph 7—on the safety record of the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Hanley

The statement is borne out by United States Air Force statistical records of all aspects of FLAG Exercise flying. The RAF has been a major participant in these exercises since 1977 during which time it has lost four aircraft. This is some 7.8 per cent. of the total number of FLAG accidents suffered by all participating nations up to October 1990.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date night low level training by Royal Air Force Harrier GR7s re-commenced after the summer of 1993; and what are the projected dates for commencement of night low level training by numbers 3 and 4 squadrons.

Mr. Hanley

Royal Air Force Harrier GR7s resumed night low flying on 28 September 1993. One of the two squadrons mentioned is planned to commence night flying in September 1994 and the other in September 1995; the order has yet to be decided.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made to the regulations for practice interception of aircraft in the United Kingdom low flying system(a) by similar aircraft types and (b) by dissimilar aircraft types since the accident to a Royal Air Force Jaguar on 12 September 1990.

Mr. Hanley

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures are used to ensure separation of military aircraft, operating without lights at night in the low flying system, from civil aircraft operating in the flight information region.

Mr. Hanley

There are two such procedures: notices to airmen and separation by height.