§ 17. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Technology what Government financial support is being given towards the development of aircraft engines with reduced noise characteristics; and what arrangements he has introduced for liaison on this subject with other countries since the international conference on the reduction of noise and disturbance caused by civil aircraft.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe Government are supporting the initial development of a large subsonic civil aero-engine, the RB207, and are likely also to support a smaller engine, the RB203 or Trent. Both engines will make substantially less noise than existing engines. At the same time, the Department continues to sponsor, in industry and in its own establishments, research aimed at the reduction of aero-engine noise. Collaboration with France and the United States on the question of aircraft noise certification continues.
§ Mr. MillsDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that this problem of engine noise must be solved if we are to have larger aircraft in future? Does he agree that we must give the highest priority to this matter? Will he also bear in mind that this problem of noise and the disturbance it causes has now even reached the south-west of England?
§ Mr. StonehouseI very much agree with the hon. Gentleman that this is a serious problem. I assure him that it is one to which the Government give very top priority.
§ Mr. LubbockCan the hon. Gentleman say what the prospects are for the RB207 in this and the next financial year and what is the maximum rate at which 780 Rolls Royce is capable of developing this engine? Can he also say what prospects there are of selling this engine instead of the Lockheed 10–11?
§ Mr. StonehouseContracts worth £1.3 million have been placed and development is going ahead as quickly as Rolls Royce can handle it. I am not yet in a position to say what the prospects are of selling the RB207 in the United States.