Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - Herne Bay and Sandwich)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to expand general aviation access to his Department's airfields as proposed in the Government's 2015 Aviation Strategy.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Department continues to encourage General Aviation (GA) access to military airfields wherever possible, on a prior permission required basis.
We have further increased the publication of Defence Aerodrome Manuals on Station and Service flying club websites to provide GA pilots with better access to detailed aeronautical information. More generally, should a civilian GA pilot wish to fly into a military aerodrome then the local RAF Flying Clubs' Association club can provide information on military flying procedures and how best to operate locally.
In the past year a Military-Civil Air Safety Day was held at RAF Halton in association with the General Aviation Safety Council and a further two events are planned at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and RAF Shawbury later this year. These fly-in events are attended by between 20-50 civil registered aircraft. They provide the opportunity for GA Pilots to visit military air bases and receive briefings on the flying activities undertaken there, as well as other topical safety matters. There is also the opportunity to meet military aviators to exchange views and promote better understanding of both communities.
Asked by: Roger Gale (Conservative - Herne Bay and Sandwich)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the illegal netting of wild birds within the sovereign base areas of Cyprus; and what steps are being taken to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for such acts.
Answered by Mike Penning
We remain committed to tackling illegal trapping and poaching of birds in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA).
Over the last twelve months we have arrested 55 poachers and conducted 39 police-led operations, seizing 3,031 items of netting equipment. Since November 2014, we have removed 61 acres of acacia at a cost of over €400,000.
The Sovereign Base Areas Administration will continue to work with the RSPB, BirdLife Cyprus and other Non-Government Organisations to do all they can to further reduce bird trapping within the SBA.