Text of letter to UK Minister re miltary exercise in Irish Sea - 12-11-97

 12th November, 1997.

 Dear Sir,

 I refer to air exercises currently underway in the N. Irish Sea area, and your use of facilities in the Isle of Man.

 Concern has been expressed to our organisation about noise pollution in the north of the Island around the former Jurby airfield, extending into the late evening, associated with the exercises and involving Hercules Transport and mixed helicopter traffic.

 The right of the United Kingdom government to make use of military facilities in a dependant territory is questionable within the context of International law, although doubtless your government will aver that it has the permission of the domestic authority it sustains in the dependency.

 However, our concerns about the conduct of the exercise based on the reports received are more fundamental.

 I understand, from conversation with the RAF authorities this evening, that it is nomnal practice in the United Kingdom to give substantial advance warning about each low flying exercise and also extend specific information to the political member in whose constituency the operations take place. In exercises in Wales and Scotland, the public are provided with information on where complaints about alleged low flying can be made, and indeed how claims for compensation can be processed. There are other safeguards - and yet none of these seem to have been applied to your exercise in the Isle of Man.

 I would therefore like you to clarify the following points:
 
 

 In conclusion, I would observe that the manner in which you have conducted these air operations, and the double standards used compared to similar operations over the UK, highlight the disdain with which you regard both the position of an autonomous devolved government, and the people it represents. Furthermore, the Ministry of Defence is promoting itself as a body that regards the views of the Manx people as irrelevant, unimportant and beneath contempt. I would strongly advise that the Ministry rethink its decision on this matter and take the necessary steps to avoid criticism of its policy and policy-implementing strategy. Otherwise, the British Government is allowing itself to be open to attack on the wisdom of circumventing existing convention it has with a dependent territory.

 Yours sincerely,

 J B Moffatt
General Secretary, Celtic League.

UK Parlaimentary Question reference low flying over Isle of Man - 28-04-82

 Answer from Mr. Jerry Wiggin for Ministry of Defence -05-05-82
 

Military low flying is forbidden over the land areas of the Isle of Man.