§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of low flying sorties carried out by Germany-based aircraft of No. 2 Group in 1993 in(a) German airspace, (b) the United Kingdom low flying system and (c) elsewhere.
§ Mr. HanleyAircraft of No. 2 group RAF strike command flew 5,228 sorties in the United Kingdom low flying system in 1993. The upper limit for low flying in German airspace is 1,500 feet. However for the purposes of statistical consistency No. 2 group now apply the United Kingdom upper limit of 2,000 feet when maintaining low flying records. Such records cover fast jet aircraft only. The number of sorties flown in Germany and elsewhere during 1993 were as follows:
Fast jet sorties below 2,000 feet Germany 2,229 Elsewhere 1,070
§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the circumstances 387W of the unauthorised flight in the United Kingdom low flying system of three F-16s of the royal Danish air force on 14 December 1993.
§ Mr. HanleyThe aircraft had been deployed to RAF Leuchars to carry out low flying training. On their return flight to Denmark they flew at low level without authorisation and breached an avoidance area. Details of the incident have been passed to the royal Danish air force for appropriate action.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints about alleged low flying incidents occurring(a) in mid-Wales (b) in the whole of Wales and (c) throughout the United Kingdom he has received during each year since 1991 and in the current year to date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThe number of inquiries or complaints relating to military low flying which my Department received in each year since 1991 to May 1994, the latest date for which figures are available, from addresses in the county of Powys, Wales and the United Kingdom are as follows:
Year Powys Wales United Kingdom 1991 108 791 4,846 1992 199 904 6,295 1993 110 556 5,738 11994 31 161 1,716 1Up to 31 May 1994.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first low-level overland training area for air defence aircraft was established; what facilities these areas are designed to provide which were not previously available to air defence units: if he will list the locations of each such area in the United Kingdom, together with their height limits, hours of operation and arrangements for limits on aircraft numbers and for deconfliction from other air traffic; and if he will place in the Library a map showing the location and extent of the low-level overland training areas.
§ Mr. HanleyThe low-level operational training area—LOTA—system was established on 3 April 1992 in order to provide better co-ordination between air defence aircraft engaged in low level intercept training and offensive aircraft using the United Kingdom low flying system. The system does not provide for any form of training not previously available but allows aircrew to register their intention to train in a specific LOTA. This facilitates co-ordination of sorties and thereby enhances training opportunities. LOTAs are not subject to special regulations, but any military flying below 2,000 feet: within them is subject to the normal regulations of the United Kingdom low flying system. There are seven LOTAs; I am arranging for a map showing their location to be placed in the Library of the House.