asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Soviet penetrations of United Kingdom airspace there were in 1984; and how many so far in 1985.

There have been no penetrations of United Kingdom territorial airspace by Soviet military aircraft in 1984 and 1985. If my hon. Friend is concerned with the United Kingdom air defence region, which principally comprises international airspace out to a considerable distance from the United Kingdom mainland, the detailed figures on penetrations are classified. In general terms they average approximately three to four a week, but rise significantly during periods of major Soviet exercise activity.