LORD ERASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what research is being undertaken with a view to reducing the noise of helicopters; and whether Her Majesty's Government are actively engaged in such research.]
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, work is being done by Government research establishments, universities and industry to determine the causes of noise in aircraft and their engines and to develop means of suppression, for example, by the development of silencers and the design of engines with lower ratio of noise to power. Much of this research applies to helicopters as well as fixed wing aircraft. Silencers have been developed to reduce the noise of the tip-jet units used in certain helicopters, and development is continuing to increase their efficiency.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, in this small island is it not most desirable to have effective and acceptable helicopters to provide transport from the centre of one town to another? And could there not be built upon a large use of these vehicles in Britain a substantial export trade? If that is so, and as the aeroplane-making industry is needing work, would the Government give every possible encouragement to this special field in which we have already shown ourselves leaders?
LORD REAMy Lords, may I ask whether the Government are considering the possibility of imposing limitations on the number of decibels which any aircraft may emit?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, not having my slide-rule with me, I regret that I cannot give the noble Lord a correct answer on that point. Perhaps he would put down a Question, or I could write to him and tell him.