§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of booked movements into each low-level operational training area in each year since their establishment. [526]
§ Mr. SoamesThe number of operational low-flying movements authorised into each of the three tactical training areas in each year since their establishment is set out in the following table.
Northern Scotland Central Wales Borders 1979 664 123 — 1980 626 171 — 1981 601 59 — 1982 236 4 — 1983 1,616 21 285 1984 667 64 276 1985 259 44 173 1986 539 63 598 1987 518 242 626 1988 828 60 1,227 1989 817 89 1,788 1990 1,519 265 4,243 1991 468 90 1,256 1992 979 174 2,067 1993 468 192 2,389 1994 704 89 1,127 19951 285 119 1,144 1 January-September. From July 1988 to September 1993 the borders TTA was divided into east and west sectors. Movements for the two sectors were counted separately so that sorties which crossed the border between the two sectors generated additional movements. The figures for the borders TTA from 1988 to 1993 therefore overstate the amount of activity in comparison with other years and TTAs.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the instructions to RAF police conducting covert surveys of low flying include a requirement to record instances of use of reheat by low-flying aircraft. [425]
§ Mr. SoamesRAF police personnel conducting covert monitoring are required to record the use of reheat by military aircraft flying at low level.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on(a) the nationality and (b) the types of the aircraft listed in his evidence to the Defence Committee, HC 314 of Session 1993–94, on operational low-flying movements in 1986 in the "other" category. [430]
§ Mr. SoamesAll operational low flying in the United Kingdom low flying system in 1986 was conducted by UK military aircraft. Thirty-four of the movements listed for 1986 in the "other" category were conducted by F4 Phantom aircraft; the statistical information available does not record aircraft type for the remainder.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of the aircraft types listed in his evidence to the Defence Committee, HC 314 of Session 1993–94, 59W on operational low-flying movements were (a) equipped and (b) authorised to carry out flying in the highlands restricted area. [429]
§ Mr. SoamesThe Tornado GR1 is the only RAF aircraft equipped to fly in the highlands restricted area. Operational low flying is not permitted in the highlands restricted area when it is active.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if operational low-flying movements by aircraft types other than Buccaneer, Harrier, Hercules, Jaguar and Tornado have taken place since 1988. [527]
§ Mr. SoamesNo.