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Armed Forces Bill

I am of course aware that a number of orders and regulations will be locally provided. My point is beyond that. A specific height will be written into the authorisation sheet for every flight operating below normal operating heights, and it cannot go below that height. It is slightly curious that we have a clause on low flying. This will be done because the authorising officer perhaps thinks that the pilot is not yet experienced enough to go down to the minimum height or that on a particular day the weather or other conditions are not appropriate to allow him to do so. If a person disobeys the order written in the authorisation sheet, there will be the possibility of charging him or of other disciplinary action. It just seems curious that it would not be done under this provision, because we have not made it an offence to fly below the authorised height for the flight, rather than under, as the Bill currently states, the minima defined by the Defence Council, which will be different. The Minister may find it worth while to have another look to see whether there is substance in my proposal.