FOUR Scots MPs have won a victory in their battle with the Ministry of
Defence over repeated complaints of pilots breaking the rules in
low-flying training areas.
The SNP's Margaret Ewing, together with Labour's John Hume Robertson
and George Foulkes and Liberal Democrat Archie Kirkwood met Defence
Minister Viscount Cranbourne back in June seeking action to curb the
nuisance to their constituents in the Borders and Highland training
areas.
Now the Minister has told them that RAF police will make secret checks
using Skyguard radar to detect breaches by pilots.
Carrick, Cumnock, and Doon Valley MP George Foulkes, a member of the
all-party Commons Committee on Low Flying, said yesterday: ''One of the
problems we had identified -- even in areas where we accepted that some
low flying had to take place -- was there were still violations by
pilots.
''They were also going into areas they were prohibited from entering.
''We suggested very strongly that the RAF should deploy their Skyguard
radar system.
''Then they should institute prosecutions against pilots who break the
rules.
''Their letter now is basically telling us they have taken notice of
what we had to say, and they are going to deploy Skyguard secretly from
time to time -- pursuing action against pilots who break the rules.
''We jointly welcome this, and feel we have achieved a breakthrough in
persuading the MoD to do this.''
The MPs, who have also urged greater use of simulators for low-level
training, have had backing for that proposal from the Auditor-General
who in a new report has recommended their increased use would save
money, while still providing valuable training.
Last night, Mr Foulkes said: ''While we still want to pursue other
avenues like increasing use of simulators to cut the amount of low
flying even further, we are delighted at this breakthrough.''
The MPs also welcomed the fact that not only will they be alerted when
Skyguard goes into action in their constituencies but Viscount
Cranbourne has told them that the RAF police will, whenever possible,
give the public a chance to examine the Skyguard equipment for
themselves in an accessible location.
The Minister said: ''The first such occasion took place following a
covert survey of the Market Deeping area of Lincolnshire last month.''
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