HC Deb 19 July 1995 vol 263 cc1350-2W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were undertaken by Tornados of the tri-national Tornado training establishment from RAF Leuchars under the winter venture deployment scheme in winter 1994–95; and how many of these involved low level flying. [35648]

Mr. Soames

A total of 198 sorties were flown, of which 184 involved low level flying.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were conducted by(a) B-52s and (b) F-111s of the US Air Force during their recent deployment to RAF Fairford; how many of each were authorised low flying sorties; and if he will list the numbered low flying areas used by these aircraft during their deployment to the United Kingdom. [35641]

Mr. Soames

United States Air Force B-52s conducted 60 sorties during their deployment to RAF Fairford, eight of which involved flying within the UK low flying system. United States Air Force F-111s conducted 122 sorties during their deployment, 48 of which involved flying within the UK low flying system. The aircraft used the following low flying areas during their deployment to the UK: 2, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17. Of these only low flying areas 13 and 14 were used by USAF B-52s.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low flying sorties by British military aircraft have taken place over Slovakia since August 1994; and how many sorties are planned for 1995. [35647]

Mr. Soames

RAF aircraft have to date flown no low flying sorties over Slovakia and at present there are no plans for them to do so. We shall, however, continue to explore the prospects for low level flying with our partners in the region.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for increased Royal Air Force use of the low flying training facilities at Goose bay following the completion of the environmental assessment report on operations from the base. [35646]

Mr. Soames

We have no plans at present to seek an increase in the RAF's annual allocation of low level sorties at the Goose bay facility. Operational and other training commitments do mean, however, that actual usage within the agreed ceiling varies from year to year.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the nature and purpose of the deployments of Italian air force Tornados to RAF Cottesmore from 3 to 7 July, 24 to 28 July and 4 to 8 September; and what written agreements exist between his Department and the Italian authorities governing Italian air force combat aircraft deployments to the United Kingdom for low flying, weapons and electronic warfare training. [35639]

Mr. Soames

The purpose of the Italian air force Tornado detachments to RAF Cottesmore is to utilise the electronic warfare range at RAF Spadeadam and to carry out low flying training within the United Kingdom low flying system. No written agreements exist; I refer the hon. Member to the replies to his questions of 10 January,Official Report, c.103 and 2 December last year, Official Report, c.943.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many instances have been recorded in each of the last three years in which investigation of a complaint about low flying found that no aircraft had booked in to the relevant low flying area at the reported time of the incident. [35643]

Mr. Soames

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the nature of the aerial activity at low level(a) in the vicinity of Bargrennan on 27 June, (b) in the vicinity of Waterside, Doon Valley, on 28 June, (c) in the vicinity of Lochinvar, New Galloway, on 29 June, (d) in the vicinity of Auchenstroan Craig, Moniaive, on 30 June, (e) in the vicinity of Stroanfreggan on 3 July and (f) in the vicinity of Kendoon Loch on 4 July and in the vicinity of Craighead in the Dalwhat Valley and other locations in the south-west of Scotland throughout this period as notified in "Notice to Airmen J1477". [34351]

Mr. Soames

The activity notified in "Notice to Airmen J1477/95" on the dates and at the locations listed in the question was close air support training down to 100 ft by Harrier aircraft of No. 4 Squadron. This training was part of the squadron's work-up before deployment in support of NATO air operations over Bosnia-Herzogovina