House of Commons Hansard Debates for 9 Mar 1989

Mr. Gummer [holding answer 6 March 1989] : The London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham recently sought my right hon. Friend's sanctions for certain payments and receipts due under interest rate swaps and I am aware from press and market reports that other authorities have entered into such arrangements. Individual authorities are not, however, required to inform my Department before entering into swaps and do not do so. Advice on the powers of local authorities to enter into swaps was circulated to all authorities by the Audit Commission last year. I am aware therefore neither of how many authorities have entered into these arrangements nor of how many have done so outside the guidelines on the powers of local authorities to enter into swaps which was circulated to all authorities by the Audit Commission last year.

Civil Servants (Political Activity)

Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff within his Department in the category "politically restricted," as defined by the Civil Service pay and conditions code, have permission to engage in local political activity.

Mr. Ridley [holding answer 27 February 1989] : Nine.

Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff within his Department in each of the categories (a) politically restricted, (b) intermediate and (c) politically free, as defined by the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code, are local authority councillors.

Mr. Ridley [holding answer 27 February 1989] : The following numbers of staff are recorded as being local authority members :


                       |Numbers        

---------------------------------------

Politically restricted |6              

Intermediate           |13

The Department does not keep a record of the number of staff in the politically free group who are councillors.

DEFENCE

RAF Finningley

Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the present operational duties of Royal Air Force Finningley ; and what are the future proposals for this base.

Mr. Neubert : RAF Finningley is the centre for training all non- pilot aircrew for the Royal Air Force, and for

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advanced multi-engine pilot training. It is also the base for Yorkshire universities air squadron, and air experience flight and the headquarters of the search and rescue wing. Finningley is designated as a co-located operating base for use by American forces in time of war. There are no plans to change the role of the station.

Royal Artillery Range, Hebrides

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the operation at the Royal Artillery range, Hebrides, in September 1988, involving a West German Army helicopter.

Mr. Neubert : The helicopter referred to was a West German army CH 53 deployed in support of a British Army air defence demonstration held on 13 September 1988. The helicopter added realism to the demonstration by deploying a Javelin missile detachment and recovering them after the missile firing.

Exercise North Star 89

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role Royal Air Force Stornoway will play in Exercise North Star 89.

Mr. Neubert : None.

Stornoway Airport

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many movements by Tornado aircraft were recorded at Stornoway airport in 1988.

Mr. Neubert : During 1988 Tornado aircraft were temporarily deployed to Stornoway on eight separate occasions for a single day. Records kept do not identify by aircraft type the number of movements undertaken during the day whilst there.

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the results of the noise surveys carried out at Stornoway airport in July 1988.

Mr. Neubert : Evaluation of the results of the noise survey is almost complete and I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account was taken of run and break manoeuvres by military aircraft during the noise surveys at Stornoway airport in July 1988.

Mr. Neubert : Run and break manoeuvres are rarely carried out at Stornoway and none was observed during the noise survey. Such manoeuvres would, in any case, be unlikely to affect the position of the average 70dB(A) noise contour.

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account was taken of overshoot manoeuvres by military aircraft during the noise surveys at Stornoway airport in July 1988.

Mr. Neubert : Noise measurements were taken of 18 overshoot manoeuvres (13 by Phantom F4 aircraft and five by Tornado).

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account was taken of noise from ground engine running by military aircraft during the noise surveys at Stornoway airport in July 1988.

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Mr. Neubert : The aim of the noise survey was to measure the noise associated with representative aircraft operations at sites which would enable the computer predicted average 70dB(A) noise contour to be validated. Due to the limited duration of the military exercise it was not possible to take specific measurements of noise from ground engine running. Experience of noise surveys at other military airfields suggests that the noise from this activity would not affect the position of the noise contour.

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions are given to military pilots using Stornoway airport (a) during periods of military activation of the airfield and (b) during periods when the airport is under civilian operational control, concerning the carrying out of run and break manoeuvres.

Mr. Neubert : Military pilots practising run and break manoeuvres at Stornoway airport are instructed to approach runway 36 at a minimum height of 600 ft or 1,000 ft if there is any civilian light aircraft or helicopter activity within the circuit area ; and runway 18 at a minimum height of 1,000 ft. Pilots should approach with a displacement of 400 ft from the centre line of the runway to the west side and break to the east, away from the populated area. These instructions apply whether air traffic control is being provided by military or civilian personnel.

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many simulated air attacks were made on Stornoway airport during its period of activation for Exercise Ocean Safari in September 1987 ; (2) how many simulated air attacks were made on Stornoway airport during its period of activation for Exercise Flanagan in July 1988 ; (3) how many simulated air attacks were made on Stornoway airport during its period of activation for Exercise Teamwork in September 1988.

Mr. Neubert : There were no simulated attacks made on Stornoway airport during these exercises.

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many simulated air attacks have been made on Stornoway airport since 16 May 1988.

Mr. Neubert : As my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman) said in his reply at column 352 on 16 May 1988, there is no requirement for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited to maintain records of simulated air attacks by military aircraft on Stornoway airport, during the normal periods of civil use. However records are maintained by the RAF when the airfield is activated for military exercises.

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what minimum height and maximum speed are specified in the instructions to military fast jet pilots carrying out simulated air attacks on Stornoway airport.

Mr. Neubert : Simulated air attacks at Stornoway airport are very infrequent and are subject to restrictions of height, speed and angle of approach as set out by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many practice approaches were carried out by military aircraft at Stornoway airport in 1988.

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Mr. Neubert : During 1988 there were 278 recorded practice approaches made by military aircraft at Stornoway airport. Of these 134 were made during Exercise Flanagan, when RAF Stornoway was activated from 8 to 17 July, and 42 during Exercise Teamwork during the period 30 August to 12 September.

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the planned dates of activation of Stornoway airport for military exercises during 1989 ; and if he will list the title, scope and purpose of the exercise in each case.

Mr. Neubert : At present it is planned that Stornoway airport will be activated for military activity during the following periods : 20 June to 8 July 1989 and 7 to 18 September 1989. I will write to the hon. Member nearer the time giving specific details of the exercises.

Military Aircraft (Run and Break Manoeuvres)

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those military airfields in the United Kingdom where restrictions are imposed on the carrying out of run and break manoeuvres by military aircraft.

Mr. Neubert : Run and break manoeuvres take place at most military airfields according to local conditions. To specify all local restrictions would not be possible without disproportionate cost and effort.

RAF Stornoway

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role was played by RAF Stornoway in Exercise JMC 89/1.

Mr. Neubert : None.

Coastal Communications System

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the function of the United Kingdom maritime coastal communications system ; when he expects the system to become operational ; and if he will list the locations of any of its installations in the Western Isles.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : The United Kingdom maritime coastal communications system (UKMACCS), which became operational in April 1987, provides high frequency communications to and from ships of the Royal Navy from the United Kingdom coastline out to 200 nautical miles. There are no installations associated with this system in the Western Isles.

RAF Aird Uig

Mr. Macdonald : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made to the equipment of RAF Aird Uig following the recommendations on Royal Air Force tactical communications equipment set out in paragraph 82 of Cm 228, "Implementing the Lessons of the Falklands Campaign : Government Response to the Fourth Report from the Defence Committee, Session 1986-87".

Mr. Neubert : The report in question and the Government's response to it covered military communi-cations over extensive distances between the United

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Kingdom and the south Atlantic in 1982. These have now been improved in a number of ways. The equipment at RAF Aird Uig is a NATO facility designed to support maritime operations over much shorter distances in the north Atlantic. This equipment meets with NATO requirement. There have been no recent changes to it nor are any planned in the immediate future.

Z-Berths

Mr. Martyn Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what ports are currently being considered as possible locations for new Z-berths ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : The Royal Navy's requirements for port visits by nuclear-powered submarines are continually under review. When a port appears suitable and practical, the safety considerations are discussed with local civil authorities. Swansea is at pesent under consideration as a possible location for a new Z-berth. My officials have also had preliminary discussions with the port and local authorities at Tilbury.

Mr. Martyn Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the port of Hull has been taken off the list of ports with approved Z-berths ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : After navigational problems had been encountered on two occasions, the Royal Navy reluctantly decided in 1985 to discontinue visits to Hull by Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarines.

Mr. Martyn Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current and future status of the Z-berth in the port of Barry.

Mr. Archie Hamilton : Use of the Z-berth in Barry by royal naval nuclear-powered submarines has been discontinued temporarily because of difficulties in maintaining the water level at low tide. We understand that Associated British Ports intends to replace lock gates and modernise the berth's facilities in the near future ; once this has been done the berth should again be suitable for use by nuclear-powered submarines.

Tain Bombing Range, Ross-shire

Mr. Kennedy : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on any alterations he is considering over the use of Tain bombing range, Ross-shire, for use by the Army for mortar practice.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 3 March 1989] : The possibility of the Army making very occasional use of the range at RAF Tain for mortar practice is currently under consideration. No decisions have been taken.

Low Flying

Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what point after take-off an aircraft is considered to be on a low-level flight ; and if that definition always applies in determining low-level flight accidents.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 18 January 1989] : An aircraft is judged to have been involved in accident at low level when the accident occurs after it is clear of the airfield area and it is engaged in the low- flying element of its sortie.

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Directorate General of Defence Quality Assurance

Mr. Devlin : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stage he has reached in his consideration of the most cost effective location for those parts of the directorate general of defence quality assurance now at Woolwich and Bromley.

Mr. Sainsbury : I have concluded that a move to Preston farm in Teesside is the most cost-effective solution for the headquarters and laboratories of the directorate general of defence quality assurance now at Woolwich and Bromley. The move would concentrate the headquarters functions and main laboratories of the directorate on a single site with fully modern facilities, while at the same time releasing the Woolwich and Bromley sites for disposal and redevelopment. We will be consulting the trades unions, as is normal practice. Some 1,500 jobs are involved, of which about 650 would be good quality scientific and engineering posts and about 250 would be for apprentices.

Accident Statistics

Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were (a) the circumstances of, (b) the nature of the damage and (c) casualties resulting from the accident to a Royal Navy Sea King off Falmouth on 26 September 1984.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : While hovering above the water in Falmouth bay, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. A controlled landing was made on the water. None of the crew suffered any injuries. Subsequently, the aircraft was recovered and damage to the airframe was assessed as category 3 (repairable on site but requires assistance beyond the unit's own technical resources).

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : There is no record of such an accident on that date.

Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were (a) the circumstances of, (b) the nature of the damage and (c) casualties resulting from the accident to a Royal Air Force Lightning at RAF Binbrook on 19 July 1984.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : Shortly after the Lightning touched down, its right main undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft veered off the runway and through the airfield perimeter fence. There were no casualties. The aircraft suffered category 3 damage.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : There is no record of such an accident on that date.

Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were (a) the circumstances of, (b) the nature of the

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damage and (c) casualties resulting from the accident to a Royal Air Force Sea King in the English Channel on 20 June 1983.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : There is no record of such an accident on that date.

Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were (a) the circumstances of, (b) the nature of the damage and (c) casualties resulting from the accident to an Army Scout helicopter at Sek Kong, Hong Kong, on 18 January 1983.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : During a practice landing, the Scout's tail rotor struck the ground, causing the aircraft to land heavily, resulting in category 3 damage. The crew suffered minor injuries.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : There is no record of such an accident on that date.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : After suffering a bird strike while exercising in the Portland sea areas, the Hunter returned to RNAS Yeovilton. Unable to lower the nose-wheel, the pilot landed the aircraft on a prepared foam strip, using the main wheels alone. The pilot was uninjured. The aircraft suffered category 3 damage.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : There is no record of such an accident on that date.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : While at 2,000 ft. above the Nordhorn range in the Federal Republic of Germany, a Buccaneer of 15 Squadron sustained a broken turbine blade, which resulted in an engine fire. The pilot landed successfully and without injury at the German Air Force base at Hopsten. Aircraft damage was assessed at category 3.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] Whilst undertaking a night landing in stormy weather at RAE

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Bedford the Canberra's wheels failed to grip the runway due to an excess of rain water. The pilot raised the undercarriage and the aircraft skidded to a halt. Originally, the damage to the aircraft was assessed at category 3. Subsequently, however, it was considered that, due to the aircraft's age, it would not be economic to repair it.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : There was no accident and there were no casualties. Following a report of a large fuel leak, category 2 (repairable within unit resources) damage to the main cabin conditioning duct of this aircraft was discovered. Subsequently, because of the type, age and location of the aircraft and the damage suffered, the aircraft was written off as beyond economic repair.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : After landing, the Lightning's undercarriage retracted accidentally. There were no casualties. The aircraft suffered category 3 damage.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : While conducting a sonar exercise in Falmouth bay, the Sea King suffered an engine failure. The pilot made a controlled landing on the water and taxied the aircraft to a local beach. There were no casualties. The aircraft suffered category 2 damage.

Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were (a) the circumstances of, (b) the nature of the damage and (c) casualties resulting from the accident at Royal Air Force Valley on 27 May 1980.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : After landing at RAF Valley, a RAF Hawk aircraft's left brake failed to operate correctly and the aircraft left the runway. Both pilots ejected and suffered minor injuries. The aircraft suffered category 3 damage when hitting a stanchion belonging to the end of runway arrester equipment.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : There is no record of such an accident on that date.

Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were (a) the circumstances of, (b) the nature of

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damage and (c) the casualties whether civilian or military resulting from the accident to a Royal Aircraft Establishment Canberra at RAF Manston on 20 December 1979.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : There is no record of such an accident on that date.

Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement (a) the circumstances surrounding the accident to an Army Scout helicopter in Canada on 26 August 1979 and (b) the damages caused by the accident.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : While undertaking a routine flight over a training area in Suffield, Canada at a height of 30 ft above ground, the Scout's engine cut out, leading the pilot to make an emergency landing. The helicopter struck the ground heavily and sufered category 3 damage. The crew sustained minor injuries.

Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1980" shows no major injuries resulting from low-flight accidents overseas for 1979, when table 9 of his letter on 16 August to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan, lists four "Army Other" for the year 1979.

Mr. Neubert [holding answer 16 January 1989] : There were two such major injuries resulting from an Army helicopter accident overseas during low level flying in 1979. These were omitted inadvertently from the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1980" but were correctly detailed in my predecessor's letter of 16 August.

Mr. Wray : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the death of an Royal Air Force navigator in a Tri-National Tornado training establishment crash in Wales on 17 June 1986 is not included in the lists attached to his letter of 16 August 1988 to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan.

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