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|Casuals |Casuals |Fixed-term|Fixed-term
Address |1994 |1995 |1994 |1995
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sackville street,
Barnsley |1 |1 |0 |0
Wellsyke road,
Doncaster |4 |1 |0 |0
Shaftesbury avenue,
Doncaster |1 |2 |0 |0
Doncaster road,
Rotherham |2 |4 |0 |0
St Peter's house,
Sheffield |2 |6 |0 |1
Orgreave way,
Sheffield |1 |0 |0 |0
Middlewood road,
Sheffield |1 |1 |0 |0
Richmond Park road,
Sheffield |0 |3 |0 |0
Municipal Bus Undertakings
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the management-employee buy-outs of municipal bus undertakings which have since been sold on to private
operators. [38756]
Mr. Norris: Municipal bus undertakings which are bought out by management-employee teams become private sector companies. My Department does not formally monitor changes of ownership within the bus industry.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what is his policy in respect of compelling local authorities to dispose of their municipal bus companies and to bring forward the necessary legislation in this Parliament. [38892]
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Mr. Norris: Our policy continues to be to encourage local authorities to sell their bus companies, as many have already done. As and when a suitable legislative opportunity arises, we shall seek powers to compel authorities still owning bus companies to sell them.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations he takes into account when deciding whether or not to approve the sale of a municipal bus undertaking to a management-employee buy-out. [38891]
Mr. Norris: The decision on whether a municipal bus company is put up for sale and the conditions attaching to that sale are solely matters for the owners, but under the Transport Act 1985 the consent of the Secretary of State is needed to the arrangements made. Since 1992 it has been policy not to grant consent to a sale, whether to a management- employee buy-out or otherwise, unless it has followed a competitive tender.
Rail Fare Increases
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all cases of which his Department has received notification of increases in rail fares deliberately introduced in order to reduce demand; and if he will make a statement. [38132]
Mr. Watts: The setting of rail fares is a commercial matter for train operators. Operators are not required to notify my Department of their reasons for increases in individual fares.
From 1 January 1996 fares will be subject to the regime announced by the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising.
Motorway Lighting
Sir Michael Shersby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in reducing the glare in the night sky caused by the lighting of motorways; what is his policy for ensuring that motorway service areas do not add to the loss of night sky caused by their illumination; and if he will make a statement. [38354]
Mr. Watts: It has been a requirement of motorway lighting schemes designed since February 1993 that the impact of lighting at night on dark landscapes should be minimised using an appropriate degree of special light control whenever lanterns are being provided or replaced. Examples of modern lanterns can be seen on M40 junctions 3 to 5.
It is for the local planning authority to assess the environmental effects of lighting at motorway service areas. My Department's role is limited to ensuring that the lighting does not have an adverse effect on road safety on the motorway.
Railway Property Sales
Mr. Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whom Railtrack will have to consult after privatisation before selling or leasing its land or other property. [38307]
Mr. Watts: Although, as now, there will be no specific requirement after privatisation for Railtrack to consult before selling or leasing its land or other property, the
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rigorous closure procedures set out in the Railways Act 1993 will continue to apply in respect of any proposal by Railtrack to close a part of its operational passenger network or any railway facility that it operates.Rural Roads
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new proposals he has to protect the safety and integrity of green roads or lanes. [38851]
Mr. Watts: The Government's position on the regulation of vehicular use of byways is most recently set out in the White Paper, "Rural England-- A Nation Committed to a Living Countryside", Cm 3016, published on 17 October. A section devoted to the subject appears on page 127.
Railtrack Employees Share Offer
Mr. Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many shares will be issued free or at a reduced price to Railtrack employees when the company's shares are put on the market; what he estimates the total value of employees' free shares and discounts will be; and how many employees will be eligible for these benefits; [38306]
(2) how many shares and share options will be issued free or at a reduced price to Railtrack directors when the company's shares are put on the market; what he estimates the total value of directors' free shares and discounts will be; and how many directors will be eligible for these benefits. [38305]
Mr. Watts: My right hon. Friend announced on 25 September the Railtrack employee share offers as part of the intended stock market flotation of Railtrack. The offers include:
free shares for each eligible Railtrack employee worth approximately £160 at the offer price plus a further £2 worth of shares for each year of continuous service int eh rail industry; a matching offer of two free shares for every one purchased by eligible Railtrack employees up to a maximum value of approximately £250--that is, free shares of up to approximately £500;
discount of 20 per cent. for eligible Railtrack employees on up to approximately £1,400 worth of shares at the offer price--that is, a discount of up to £280;
priority over shares offered to the public to the value of approximately £18,000 at the offer price, including the shares purchased through the discount offer.
The priority offer, excluding the discount element, will also be offered to Railtrack pensioners.
It is too early to say how many shares will be issued or what the total value will be or how many employees and directors will be eligible. This will depend on the share price, the level of take-up and the number of eligible employees and directors at the time. There will be no share options for Railtrack directors.
Motorway Resurfacing
Mr. Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of concrete motorway have been resurfaced in black-top; and what factors caused it to be used. [38413]
Column 580
Mr. Watts: This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend. Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Christopher Gill, dated 24 October 1995:
As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many miles of concrete motorway have been resurfaced in black-top; and what factors caused it to be used.
Figures are not available for years prior to 1992/93. The lengths of concrete motorway in England resurfaced in black-top in recent years are as follows:
Financial Year |Miles --------------------------------------------- 1992-93 |1.8 1993-94 |15.6 1994-95 |9.3
Motorways with a concrete road surface can be resurfaced in black-top as part of normal maintenance operations. This would be carried out for two main reasons--as a surface treatment or as a strengthening treatment. A surface treatment is required when the skidding resistance of the road surface falls below specified levels of where the concrete surface is showing signs of distress. A strengthening treatment is required when the structural condition of the pavement has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer able to carry the predicted future traffic. Overlaying with black-top is one means of providing the additional strength and extending the pavement life. Alternatively, concrete can also be used as an overlay treatment.
Piracy
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the past 12 months how many attacks by pirates on British shipping have taken place on the high seas; and if he will make a statement. [39027]
Mr. Norris: During the last 12 months there has been one report of a piracy attack on the high seas against a ship registered in the UK or the Crown dependencies. This was against the UK-registered ocean-going yacht, the Longo Barda, attacked off Somalia in April 1995.
Air UK
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Air UK in the last three years concerning the designation of civil air routes in eastern areas of the United Kingdom. [38121]
Mr. Norris: I am not aware that the Department has received any representations from Air UK on this subject in the last three years. However, I understand that the Civil Aviation Authority received a letter in December 1992.
Solent Buoys
Mr. Barry Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those buoys in the Solent for which Trinity House is responsible; and what powers he has to require Trinity House to pass them out to another competent authority. [37906]
Mr. Norris: Trinity House is responsible for the following lights in the solent area:
Prince Consort;
Column 581
Gurnard;Gurnard Ledge;
East Lepe;
Salt Mead;
West Lepe;
Hamstead Ledge; and
Sconce
The Secretary of State has no powers to require Trinity House to transfer buoys to another authority. Under section 33 of the Ports Act 1991, it is for the appropriate general lighthouse authority to determine, with the consent of the Secretary of State, whether or not to transfer buoys to a harbour authority.
Rail Privatisation
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the gross cost to the public purse of British railways in the years 1998 to 2001 if the privatisation plans are implemented. [38460]
Mr. Watts [holding answer 23 October 1995]: The privatisation process has irresistible momentum. The Government remain committed to continuing to provide financial support to the railways. We believe that privatisation will bring efficiency improvements, competition and innovation, from which passengers and taxpayers will benefit, and which will become
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increasingly evident over time. The major area of cost will be for the provision of passenger services. The level of this cost will be determined by market competition through the process of franchising the passenger train operating companies. No estimate of the cost of public sector support has been made beyond 1995 96.DEFENCE
Low Flying
12. Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received concerning problems of low flying. [36570]
Mr. Soames: My Department has received a number of representations from hon. Members and the general public about military low flying.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the dates, locations, numbers, types and nationalities of aircraft, nature of breach, disciplinary actions taken against aircrew and lessons learned from each of the confirmed breaches of low flying regulations during 1994. [38140]
Mr. Soames: Details of breaches of military low flying regulations during 1994 confirmed by RAF police investigations are as follows. Unless stated otherwise, a lateral breach of the avoidance area listed occurred in each case.
Column 581
|Numbers and
Date |Location |type of A/C |Nationality |Nature of breach
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 January |Lockerbie Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Tornado |RAF |Lockerbie avoidance area
17 January |Eshott Northumberland |1 x Tornado |RAF |Eshott Microlight Site
| avoidance area
17 January |Ruabon, Clwyd |1 x Hercules |RAF |Monsanto Chemical Works
| avoidance area
20 January |Beverley Humberside |1 x Harrier |RAF |Hull Aero Club avoidance area
25 January |Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Gazelle |AAC |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
9 February |Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Sea King |RN |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
28 March |Lockerbie Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Gazelle |AAC |Lockerbie avoidance area
6 April |Market Rasen Lincolnshire |1 x Tornado |TTTE |Hill House Riding School
| avoidance area
11 April |Bude, Cornwall |2 x F15 |USAF |Seasonal avoidance area in
| Little Youlstone
12 April |Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Jaguar |RAF |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
12 April |Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Tornado |RAF |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
12 April |Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Jaguar |RAF |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
13 April |St. Mary's Loch Selkirk |2 x Jaguar |RAF |Failed to observe uni-directional
| flow while flying in the
| Moffat Valley
15 April |Beverley North Humberside |1 x Tornado |RAF Portuguese Airforce |Hull Aero Club avoidance
|4 x A7 | area
25 April |Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Jaguar |RAF |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
26 April |Bude, Cornwall |1 x Hunter |RN |Seasonal avoidance area in
| Little Youlstone
28 April |Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Chinook |RAF |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
17 May |Near Hay on Wye Powys |1 x Hawk |RAF |Hay Bluff Hang Gliding
| site avoidance area
17 May |Shobdon Hereford and Worcester |1 x Hawk |RAF |Shobdon Airfield avoidance
| area
1 June |Near Hay on Wye Powys |2 x F15 |USAF |Hay Bluff Hang Gliding
| site avoidance area
1 June |Near Hay on Wye Powys |2 x F15 |USAF |Flying in UKLFS outside
| of allocated times
15 June |Salisbury Wiltshire |1 x Gazelle |AAC |Dean Hill RN Armaments
| Depot
23 June |Near Hay on Wye Powys |1 x Hawk |RAF |Hay Bluff Hang Gliding
| site avoidance area
20 July |Ruabon, Clywd |1 x Tornado |TTTE |Monsanto Chemical Works
| avoidance area
27 July |Carlisle, Cumbria |1 x Tornado |TTTE |Overflew Carlisle, a town
| listed for avoidance
28 July |Near Hay on Wye Powys |1 x F15 |USAF |Hay Bluff Hang Gliding
| site avoidance area
28 July |Near Hay on Wye Powys |1 x Hercules |RAF |Hay Bluff Hang Gliding
| site avoidance area
29 July |Keswick, Cumbria |2 x F15 |USAF |Bewaldeth Hang Gliding site
| avoidance area
4 August |Glyn-Neath, Dyfed |2 x F15 |USAF |Royal National Eisteddfod
| temporary avoidance area
4 August |Near Plymouth Devon |1 x Sea King |RN |Dartmoor Wildlife Park
| avoidance area
5 August |Penrith, Cumbria |2 x Jaguar |RAF |Lowther Event temporary
| avoidance area
9 August |Near Hay on Wye |2 x Hawk |RAF |Hay Bluff Hang Gliding
| site avoidance area
17 August |Church Stretton Shropshire |1 x Hawk |RAF |Midlands Gliding Club
| avoidance area
1 September |Caerlaverlock Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Tornado |RAF |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
5 September |Haltwhistle Northumbria |1 x Tornado |TTTE |CANP avoidance area
6 September |Caerlaverlock Dumfries and Galloway |2 x Tornado |TTTE |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
11 September |Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Hercules |RAF |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
13 September |Caerlaverlock Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Hawk |RAF |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
13 September |Dolgellau/Tewkesbury/ |2 x F15 |USAF |Unauthorised flight within UK
| Gwynedd/Gloucestershire | night low flying system
22 September |Ambleside, Cumbria |1 x F15 |USAF |Flew below authorised
| Minimum Separation Distance
28 September |Beverley North Humberside |1 x Tornado |RAF |Hull Aero Club
| avoidance area
6 October |Near Plymouth, Devon |1 x Tornado |RAF |Dartmoor Wildlife Park
| avoidance area
12 October |Peebles, Borders |1 x Tucano |RAF |Overflew Peebles, a town listed
| for avoidance
17 October |Haltwhistle Northumberland |1 x F15 |USAF |CANP avoidance area
16 November |Dumfries Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Jaguar |RAF |Crichton Royal Hospital
| avoidance area
18 November |Slimbridge Gloucestershire |3 x B105 |Royal Netherlands |Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| Air Force | seasonal avoidance area
18 November |Hawick, Borders |1 x Harrier |RAF |Minto Hills Hang Gliding
| Site avoidance area
28 November |Hawick, Borders |1 x Tornado |RAF |Minto Hills Hang Gliding
| Site avoidance area
9 December |Sywell Northamptonshire |1 x F15 | USAF |Sywell Aerodome Avoidance
| area
12 December |Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway |2 x Tornado |TTTE |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
14 December |Carlisle, Cumbria |1 x F15 |USAF |Overflew Carlisle, a town
| listed for avoidance
15 December |Market Rasen Lincolnshire |2 x F15 |USAF |Hill House Riding
| School avoidance area
22 December |Caerlaverlock Dumfries and Galloway |1 x Tornado |RAF |Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
| avoidance area
In cases where the nationality of the aircraft is shown as TTTE, the aircraft came from the Tri-national Training Establishment at RAF Cottesmore which trains aircrew of the Royal Air Force, German air force and Italian air force using aircraft provided by all three nations.
Formal disciplinary action under the service discipline Acts was taken against the pilot of the Royal Navy Hunter responsible for the breaches at Langar airfield on 10 February 1994, who pleaded guilty to one charge of conduct to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline and one charge of annoyance by flying under the naval discipline Act for which he was severely reprimanded and fined. In cases involving UK aircrew where formal disciplinary action is not appropriate, aircrew who have breached regulations may be interviewed by their station commander or other appropriate senior officer. Such action could be recorded on individual's career records and affect flying status and promotion prospects. It is not our policy to release details of such action. It is the responsibility of senior officers to ascertain what lessons there are to be learnt from such incidents; central records are not maintained.
Reports on breaches by foreign aircrew are passed to their relevant national authorities, which whom responsibility for any further action rests.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of low-flying sorties carried out over the United Kingdom by each aircraft type in each month from January 1994 to the latest available date. [38120]
Column 586
Mr. Soames: The number of sorties by aircraft type booked in the United Kingdom low flying system in each month from January 1994 to August 1995, the most recent month for which figures are available, were as follows:
1994
Aircraft
type |January |February|March |April
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Buccaneer |36 |70 |94 |21
Harrier |574 |442 |498 |466
Hawk |892 |887 |1,104 |1,168
Jaguar |409 |375 |276 |566
Tornado |1,615 |1,433 |1,847 |1,567
Tucano |653 |594 |855 |631
F15 |241 |300 |252 |204
Other aircraft
(including helicopters) |3,857 |3,838 |5,744 |3,689
Total |8,277 |7,939 |10,670 |8,312
1994
Aircraft
type |May |June |July |August
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Buccaneer |0 |4 |0 |1
Harrier |549 |574 |472 |365
Hawk |1,364 |1,496 |1,474 |1,398
Jaguar |318 |293 |522 |405
Tornado |1,554 |1,738 |1,554 |1,844
Tucano |693 |778 |720 |712
F15 |292 |284 |278 |292
Other aircraft
(including helicopters) |4,401 |6,081 |4,604 |4,000
Total |9,171 |11,248 |9,624 |9,017
1994
Aircraft
type |September|October |November |December
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buccaneer |5 |0 |3 |0
Harrier |682 |502 |648 |394
Hawk |1,180 |790 |764 |530
Jaguar |498 |608 |377 |420
Tornado |1,788 |1,598 |1,716 |1,358
Tucano |722 |669 |468 |534
F15 |194 |278 |319 |211
Other aircraft
(including helicopters) |5,477 |4,709 |4,500 |2,808
Total |10,546 |9,154 |8,795 |6,255
1995
Aircraft
type |January |February|March |April
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Buccaneer |0 |0 |0 |0
Harrier |528 |676 |861 |409
Hawk |711 |635 |1,079 |853
Jaguar |469 |504 |504 |393
Tornado |1,769 |1,676 |1,765 |1,568
Tucano |404 |636 |637 |429
F15 |346 |260 |397 |373
Other aircraft
(including helicopters) |4,197 |4,406 |5,602 |3,889
Total |8,424 |8,793 |10,845 |7,914
1995
Aircraft
type |May |June |July |August
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Buccaneer |0 |0 |0 |0
Harrier |994 |608 |701 |426
Hawk |1,213 |1,223 |620 |926
Jaguar |571 |710 |457 |297
Tornado |1,693 |2,025 |1,594 |1,571
Tucano |352 |693 |612 |643
F15 |274 |325 |188 |232
Other aircraft
(including helicopters) |5,607 |6,379 |5,022 |3,919
Total |10,704 |11,963 |9,194 |8,014
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the minimum authorised altitude for flights over the United Kingdom by the Italian air force Tornados deployed to RAF Cottesmore from 3 to 7 July; and if the aircraft were permitted to descend below that height when within (a) low flying area 13 and (b) the Spadeadam range danger area; [38128]
(2) what was the minimum authorised altitude for flights over the United Kingdom by the Italian air force AMX aircraft deployed to RAF Leeming from 19 to 23 June; and if the aircraft were permitted to descend below that height when within (a) low flying area 13 and (b) the Spadeadam range danger area; [38126]
(3) what was the minimum authorised altitude for flights over the United Kingdom by the Italian air force AMX aircraft deployed to RAF Leeming from 3 to 7 July; and if the aircraft were permitted to descend below that
Column 588
height when within (a) low flying area 13 and (b) the Spadeadam range danger area; [38125](4) what was the minimum authorised altitude for flights over the United Kingdom by the Italian air force Tornados deployed to RAF Cottesmore from 24 to 28 July; and if the aircraft were permitted to descend below that height when within (a) low flying area 13 and (b) the Spadeadam range danger area. [38127]
Mr. Soames: In each case, the authorised minimum separation distance for the Italian aircraft within the United Kingdom low flying system, including low flying area 13, was 500ft. Within the Spadeadam range danger area the aircraft were permitted to descend to 250ft.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what responsibilities are held by authorising officers concerning the pre-flight checking of low-level flight profiles for (a) safety and (b) conformity with low flying regulations. [38136]
Mr. Soames: Authorising officers are responsible for ensuring that low-level sortie plans comply with the regulations and procedures in the United Kingdom military low flying handbook, and that aircrew are suitably qualified to execute the planned sortie safely.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 13 January, Official Report, columns 272 74, at what altitude and speed the aircraft were found to have been flying at the time of the two sonic boom incidents; and if either of the aircraft was carrying out a simulated attack or interception at the time of the incident. [38320]
Mr. Soames: The information requested is as follows:
Date |Estimated height|Estimated speed -------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 July 1993 |12,800 |Mach 1.01 11 August 1993 |25,000 |Mach 1.02
The aircraft involved in the incident on 21 July was engaged in air combat manoeuvring and the aircraft involved in the incident on 11 August was running in to commence a simulated attack.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the RAF police are tasked to investigate breaches of low flying regulations in cases where the breach also leads to an air miss report being filed. [38138]
Mr. Soames: It is not our usual practice to initiate an RAF police investigation if, in the course of an investigation of an air miss report, it appears that a breach of low flying regulations may have occurred, but it is open to the chain of command of the aircrew concerned to request such an investigation if they believe there may be grounds for subsequent disciplinary action.
If the alleged breach of low flying regulations is reported separately, an RAF police investigation may be started, but this will normally be terminated when it becomes apparent that an air miss investigation into the same incident is in progress.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties are required for (a) pilots and (b) navigators to qualify in use of the thermal imaging
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airborne laser designation pod; and how many of these sorties are required to be at low level. [38129]Mr. Soames: To become qualified in the use of the TIALD pod, RAF Tornado pilots and navigators are required to fly four medium-level and six low-level sorties, and RAF Jaguar pilots five medium-level sorties.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of flying hours' experience held by the aircrew involved in each of the RAF fast jet low-level accidents listed in his Department's evidence to the Defence Committee, HC 120 (1989 90) pp.144 153, and HC 314 (1993 94), pp.29 30. [38137]
Mr. Soames: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 January, Official Report , column 105 , if he will list the dates, numbers, types and nationalities of aircraft, for the four alleged breaches of the Eshott avoidance area which were subsequently not confirmed. [38321]
Mr. Soames: Details of the four alleged breaches of Eshott microlight site in 1992 where a breach was suspected but could not be confirmed by RAF police investigations are as follows:
|Number and type
Date |of aircraft |Nationality
----------------------------------------------------------------
3 August |1 x Tornado |Italian
|Air Force
6 August |1 x Tornado |RAF
6 August |1 x Tornado |RAF
14 September |1 x F111 |USAF
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes were made to the boundaries of low flying area 1 in April 1993; and what notification of any such changes was made to (a) the media, (b) hon. Members, (c) the local authorities in the area concerned and (d) civil aviation interests. [38123]
Mr. Soames: The boundary between low flying area 1 and low flying area 18 was moved eastwards by approximately 15 miles. It is not our practice to notify hon. Members and the local media of all changes to the United Kingdom low flying system, and none of the individuals or bodies listed was notified at the time. Details of the change were, however, passed to the Defence Committee and published on page 25 of the House of Commons Defence Committee report, HC 314 of Session 1993 94, on low flying.
Complaints from the Public
13. Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints were received by his Department from Welsh members of the public in (a) 1985, (b) 1990 and (c) 1994. [36571]
Mr. Soames: We have no way of knowing how many members of the public who complain to our Department are Welsh. We deal with all complaints as quickly and sympathetically as possible.
Column 590
Trafalgar Class Submarines
14. Mr. Hutton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to award the contract for the construction of batch 2 Trafalgar class submarines. [36572]
Mr. Arbuthnot: I hope to be in a position to place a prime contract for the construction of batch 2 Trafalgar class submarines next year.
UNPROFOR
15. Mr. Cyril D. Townsend: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future role of UNPROFOR. [36573]
Mr. Portillo: Subject to the outcome of peace negotiations, we would expect UNPROFOR to be replaced by a NATO-led implementation force. The Government welcome the progress so far, but much remains to be done and UNPROFOR will continue to have a vital role to perform while the peace talks continue and until the implementation force is in place.
Overseas Wars
16. Mrs. Gorman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Government's policy on involvement in wars overseas. [36576]
Mr. Portillo: The United Kingdom is committed to the defence of its dependent territories and, under article 5 of the Washington treaty, to assist a NATO ally should its territory come under attack. In addition, we shall continue to play an appropriate role--political, diplomatic or military--in international efforts to promote peace and stability.
Reserve Armed Forces
17. Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he proposes to enhance the role and status of the reserve armed forces over the next 12 months. [36577]
Mr. Soames: We aim to introduce a Reserve Forces Bill as soon as possible. I announced to the House on 30 March the publication of the Bill in draft for consultation. More than 500 written responses have been received, the great majority supportive of our proposals. Many useful detailed observations were made and the draft Bill is being revised to take account of them.
Intelligence-gathering Satellites
18. Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which countries the United Kingdom is collaborating or discussing collaboration on intelligence-gathering satellites. [36578]
Mr. Arbuthnot: The Western European Union is currently studying the possibilities of co-operation on a European satellite observation system. The United Kingdom is contributing fully to that work.
Hydrographic Service
19. Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the number of ships available to the hydrographic service. [36579]
Column 591
Mr. Soames: There are currently six RN vessels available to the hydrographic service. There are three coastal survey vessels, HMS Bulldog, Beagle and Roebuck, the ocean survey vessels HMS Hecla and Herald and an inshore survey launcher, HMS Gleaner. HMS Scott, the replacement for HMS Hecla, is under construction as part of the ongoing programme to upgrade the capability of the hydrographic service. The hydrographic service also charters suitable commercial survey vessels which are used by RN survey teams in support of the civil hydrographic requirement.
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