§ 31. Mr. McENTEEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the serious consequences to patients of the Colindale Hospital arising from the Royal Air Force flying and searchlight operations in the vicinity of the hospital, sometimes proceeding for 12 hours and as late as midnight, and especially near the west side of the aerodrome where the Oolindale and Redhill Hospitals are situated; that the hospital inmates need rest and quietness; and that the medical staff have sometimes to suspend their stethoscopic work because of the overhead noise; and whether he will take steps to secure the minimisation at the earliest possible moment of the activities complained of?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI am aware that complaints have been made in regard to the flying of Royal Air Force aircraft in the vicinity of the Colindale Hospital, and the Air Ministry has already issued instructions that pilots are to avoid as far as possible taking off and coming in to land over the hospital, particularly at night. I hope that these steps will materially reduce the inconvenience. At the same time it will, I am sure, be appreciated that the Royal Air Force expansion programme inevitably involves a considerable increase of flying activity, and despite the restrictions placed on pilots a certain amount of inconvenience is unavoidable if the efficiency of the Air Force for defence purposes is to be maintained.
§ Mr. BERNAYSCan my right hon. Friend say what progress is being made in the provision of silencers for military aeroplanes?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a rather different question.