§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many collisions involving low-flying military aircraft have occurred over the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years. [16133]
§ Mr. SoamesThe number of collisions involving low-flying military aircraft over the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years is as follows:
- 1987: 2
- 1988: 1
- 1989: nil
- 1990: 1
- 1991: 1
- 1992: nil
- 1993: 1
- 1994: nil
- 1995: nil
- 1996: nil
§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the automatic low flying flight planning enquiry and notification system—ALFENS—was not introduced in mid-1992; when he now expects the system to come into operation; and what penalties have been incurred by the contractors as a result of the delays. [16134]
§ Mr. SoamesAs explained in detail to the House of Commons Defence Committee (HC314, Session 1993–4, pages 15–17), the original time scale for the introduction of ALFENS in mid-1992 was based on the best information available to National Air Traffic Services, which let the contract and manage it on behalf of the MOD, at an early stage of the procurement process. This 639W date was not achieved due chiefly to delays caused by changes to the scope and complexity of the project and a number of problems with the submission and evaluation of tenders. We hope to see ALFENS in use by this summer. The contractors have carried out additional work at their own expense to rectify faults in the system.