§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the pattern of military low-flying activity in the United Kingdom during the training year 2000–01. [4977]
§ Dr. MoonieThe ability to fly fast and low continues to be an essential skill in our armoury of tactics. Training for aircrew to achieve and maintain these skills is vital.
The amount of low-flying training carried out in the UK Low Flying System during the training year April 2000 to March 2001 was the minimum necessary for aircrew to reach and maintain these skills. Hours booked for low-flying training during this period amounted to a small decrease (of 66 hours, or less than 1 per cent.) compared to the previous training year. Since detailed records of hours booked began in 1995, the total overall has reduced by over 36 per cent. (24,360 hours) with fixed wing activity showing the greatest reduction.
The distribution of low-flying training across the UK has not changed significantly. We continue to try and spread it as widely as practicable, but for a variety of operational, geographical and climatic constraints some parts of the country will see more than others.
I have today placed in the Library of the House a paper giving a detailed account of low-flying training in the UK Low-flying System for the period April 2000 to March 2001.
Further copies of the paper can be obtained from the following address:
- Directorate of Air Staff
- Ministry of Defence
- Room 662
- Metropole Building
- Northumberland Avenue
- London WC2N 5BL.