HC Deb 15 February 1960 vol 617 cc940-2
22. Mr. Skeffington

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will allow information collected about sound pressure levels at London Airport to be given to local authorities and residents' associations.

Mr. Rippon

There are advantages and disadvantages in this procedure and my right hon. Friend is at present considering the matter.

Mr. Skeffington

Will the Minister bear in mind when consideration is being given to this matter that the Port of New York not only monitors sound pressure levels daily, but actually circulates them to and discusses them with the residents' associations? As many hundreds of thousands of people are interested, would not this be a useful thing to do here?

Mr. Rippon

We are aware of that. It will be one of the matters of which account will be taken.

25. Mr. R. Harris

asked the Minister of Aviation what form are the noise trials taking in relation to the request by British European Airways to fly Comet 4B aircraft to and from London Airport at night.

Mr. Sandys

Sound recordings are being taken of test flights of Comet 4B aircraft with varying loads during daylight hours.

Mr. Harris

Will the Minister in due course be taking some readings at night as well, and, if so, will he be good enough to give advance warning when this will happen, and will he be good enough to have some of his decibel recording machines placed in various parts of Heston, Hounslow and Osterley, not merely on the edge of London Airport? Thirdly, will he be good enough not to make a decision till he has been able to make some tests in the height of summer, when the noise of an aeroplane going overhead is three times as loud as it is on a rather wet winter's night?

Mr. Sandys

My hon. Friend asks a lot of things. First of all, as to the taking of tests at night, we are rather hoping to get the information we need without disturbing the residents at night, but if it is necessary night tests will be made. I am afraid I cannot remember the other questions my hon. Friend asked.

Mr. Hunter

Will the Minister make sure that these test trials are completed satisfactorily in the interests of the local residents? I have already had a number of letters from my constituents, as other local Members of Parliament have, against this proposed night flying by B.E.A. because they feel that if the permission is granted to B.E.A. other airline operators will also apply for it and get it.

Mr. Sandys

It is precisely because I am concerned about the interests of the residents that I have arranged for these tests to be made. In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Heston and Isleworth (Mr. R. Harris), who asked whether these tests could be made out- side the immediate vicinity of London Airport, they are, of course, being made at a number of places.

26. Mr. R. Harris

asked the Minister of Aviation what requests he has received from the users of Boeing jet aircraft for permission to operate these aircraft at night from London Airport.

Mr. Sandys

I have received no request for services with Boeing 707 aircraft to be scheduled between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Mr. Harris

Would the Minister hear in mind that everybody living within a few miles of London Airport would regard a decision by him to allow Comets to fly at night as the thin end of the wedge to allowing Boeings to fly at night? That is the impression. If he will give an assurance that he will not allow Boeings to fly at night, that will be a step in the right direction.

Mr. Sandys

Every case will have to be judged in relation to the noise made.