§ 17. Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Supply if he will state the approximate amount spent by his Department on research into noise abatement in the aircraft industry in 1958; and what further expenditure is contemplated for 1959.
§ 19. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Minister of Supply if he will state the approximate estimated annual amount his Department is spending in research on noise abatement in the aircraft industry; and to what extent he contemplates increasing this expenditure.
§ Mr. W. J. TaylorMy Department is spending about £75,000 per year on research contracts specifically for work on noise abatement, and work is planned to continue at about this level. In addition, much work is being done by Research Establishments of the Ministry of Supply and in industry as part of the aircraft and aero-engine programme, the cost of which cannot readily be segregated.
§ Mr. HunterIn view of the importance of abating noise from aircraft engines, can the Parliamentary Secretary give an assurance that finance does not limit this research?
§ Mr. TaylorAs I explained in answer to a supplementary question on 26th January, money is not the limiting factor, and considerably more than the £75,000 per annum, to which I have just referred, is being devoted to this work. Our knowledge of the fundamental causes of jet noise is still incomplete, and the ultimate answer to the problem probably lies in fundamental research into new types of engines.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind, as I am sure he does, that, with the development of high-powered jet-propelled aircraft, life for many people who live near the airports —some before their advent—can only be described as sheer hell by day and night, and that this is a matter to which very high priority should be given?
§ Mr. TaylorI appreciate that and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I myself have followed up this work. I can assure him that if there is any hopeful sign of real progress, the question of money will not be allowed to stand in the way.