§ 9. Mr. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Air what steps are being taken to reduce the noise caused by jet aircraft and particularly the Vulcan bombers at Royal Air Force Station, Waddington, near Lincoln.
Mr. WardWe do what we can to reduce disturbance from jet aircraft, in particular by routing flight paths away from built-up areas wherever this is practicable. I am afraid, however, that there is no easy answer to this problem.
§ Mr. de FreitasWhile recognising that so far as ground testing is concerned, may I ask the Secretary of State to assure us that, not only at this station but at other stations, everything possible is done in using modern mufflers to reduce the noise?
Mr. WardYes, Sir, we are doing that as much as possible, but the task is very great. I do not know exactly what the cost of a static muffler is, but I think that it is about £46,000. That is a very great expense. However, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that this is a problem which we have very much in mind. We shall try to do all we can about it.
§ Mr. A. HendersonIs there an inquiry taking place into the problem of jet aircraft noise, and can the Secretary of State say what progress has been made?
Mr. WardThe right hon. and learned Gentleman will know that we have not yet reached a stage—and we shall not in the foreseeable future—where we can silence aircraft in the air. The only thing we can do is to silence them as much as possible on the ground, and that is a very expensive business.