HC Deb 11 April 1960 vol 621 cc877-8
32. Mr. Hunter

asked the Minister of Aviation what was the amount spent by his Department in 1959 on research into noise abatement in connection with aircraft engines; and what progress he can now report of co-operation with aircraft manufacturers in devising means of silencing or quieting aircraft engines.

Mr. Sandys

Considerable efforts are being made in industry and Government research establishments to reduce the noise of aero-engines. Much of this forms part of wider development projects. Consequently the expenditure attributable to this aspect cannot easily be separately assessed. The development of corrugated jet nozzles and other forms of noise suppressors and turbo-fan engines of lower noise-to-power ratio are important examples of the fruits of this work.

Mr. Hunter

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me an assurance that finance is not limiting research work? With the growth of air transport, aircraft noise is a constant worry to the residents around London Airport. The matter has now become one of paramount importance.

Mr. Sandys

The problem is not so much lack of money as lack of ideas. We still know very little about the fundamental cause of jet aircraft noise. There is a limit to the amount of money that can be devoted to basic research on this subject, but if there are any promising lines which should be explored and are not being explored I will certainly consider arranging with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make more money available for that work.

Mr. Lipton

Was all the interesting information that was contained in the two replies just given by the right hon. Gentleman conveyed to the deputation which called to see him at 7 o'clock the other morning?

Mr. Sandys

It was a little early to go into technical matters.

Mr. Chetwynd

As we do not want irate citizens living near London Airport descending upon Members of the Opposition at that early hour, can he say whether he is in contact with United States authorities to see whether they can find some solution of this problem?

Mr. Sandys

I can assure the hon. Member that we are in touch with all the research establishments that are working on this problem. I have very great sympathy with those who are disturbed by this noise. I heartily dislike noise and understand the feelings of these people. But I must make it clear that I cannot promise that aircraft noise will decrease in this age. What we can and must do is try to keep it within bounds. At the moment, I am having an exhaustive study of the whole problem undertaken from every possible angle. But I cannot promise that we can find an answer which will be satisfactory to those people who live on the edge of aerodromes.