Written question asked by Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) on Thursday, 29 April 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 May 2004. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Monday, 10 May 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many training sorties have been undertaken within the mid-Wales military tactical training area by military aircraft flying below 250 feet in each year since 1994 for which figures are available.

Answer: Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many training sorties have been undertaken within the mid-Wales military tactical training area by military aircraft flying below 250 feet in each year since 1994 for which figures are available. [170875] Mr. Caplin: The amount of military low flying that takes place in the United Kingdom is better expressed in hours rather than by number of sorties, which can vary significantly from minutes to several hours. The information is only available for the last four training years, as previously the data was compiled in a different manner. The figures for the training year 2003-04 are due to be published in the next statement on the pattern of military low flying that will be available to the House in Summer 2004. The following information reflects the actual amount of operational low flying carried out within 7T, the tactical training area in mid-Wales. These statistics are consistent with the information provided annually in the statement on the pattern of military low flying. Training year 1999-2000--38 hours 8 minutes 2000-01--25 hours 21 minutes 2001-02--30 hours 23 minutes 2002-03--33 hours 12 minutes

Secondary information