HC Deb 30 October 1957 vol 575 cc191-2
40 and 41. Mr. Hunter

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) whether an investigation has been carried out into the complaints of damage caused to houses in Cairns Lane, Bedfont, Feltham, by the Soviet jet air liner when it left London Airport on Sunday, 8th September; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) what claims for compensation have been made to his Department by the householders in Cairns Lane, Bedfont, Feltham, whose houses were damaged by the Soviet jet air liner when leaving London Airport on Sunday, 8th September; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Watkinson

Following a preliminary inspection by officers of my Department and of the Air Ministry Works Department, the Building Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research made a thorough examination of the houses concerned, and concluded that the damage complained of was very largely of long standing and was not caused by the take-off of the TU.104. As to the cause of the rest of the damage, such as a cracked pane of glass in one of the houses, there was no definite evidence either way. As regards compensation, no formal claims have been received by my Department.

Mr. Hunter

Will the Minister insist that the new jet air liners, irrespective of nationality, use silencers to deaden noise before they are allowed to land at London Airport in view of the large population living round the area? Regarding damage, I should like to point out—[HON. MEMBERS: "Question."]—that I inspected the houses in Cairns Lane and questioned constituents. I am convinced that the damage was caused by the Soviet jet air liner when it took off at 4.10 a.m. on 8th September.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member really ought to ask questions at this time.

Mr. Watkinson

I have answered the first part of the supplementary question by the hon. Member for Feltham (Mr. Hunter) in a previous answer which I gave on jet noise. As to the second part, I must take the advice of the Building Research Station in this matter and not the hon. Member's.