asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the recent accident at Selkirk, he will take steps to reduce the maximum speeds and increase the minimum altitudes permitted in flights by military aircraft over South-East Scotland.

No. The heights and speeds flown on military low level sorties already represent the most reasonable compromise between the need for realistic training and the interests of the public. The pilot's orders before flight invariably specify heights and speeds which are no more demanding than the particular sortie requires.