HC Deb 30 November 1959 vol 614 cc856-7
25. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Aviation whether, in cases where civilian aircraft, leaving from or approaching London Airport, break the height regulations over residential areas, he will take action against the airline operators concerned.

The Minister of Aviation (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

Yes, Sir. I have recently issued a special warning on this subject, and I will circulate the text in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but is he aware that it is generally admitted that many aeroplanes are breaking the height regulations? If this is consistently done by one or more companies, will it be possible to take legal action against them?

Mr. Sandys

I have no evidence that this is going on. If my hon. Friend has proof that aircraft are breaking the regulations I shall be glad if he will let me have it. Recently we carried out a series of spot checks on the height of aircraft over Willesden—which is about ten miles from London Airport—and the results did not reveal that any breach of regulations was taking place.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Could my right hon. Friend have some spot checks taken over Twickenham and surrounding districts, including Feltham, over which it is alleged that many aircraft are flying very low and making a great deal of noise?

Mr. Sandys

I cannot give an undertaking that we will make observations at those particular spots, but it is a regular part of the routine to make these observations at suitable places.

Following is the text:

    cc856-7
  1. NOISE IN THE VICINITY OF AIRPORTS 276 words