§ 34. Mr. C. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for Air what steps he will take to reduce the excessive noise, and nervous strain to the local inhabitants, created by continuous low flying jet aeroplanes from the Strubby, North Lincolnshire, aerodrome; if he will have a special investigation made into these complaints; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. WardI regret that jet flying from Strubby is bound to cause some disturbance; but we shall go on doing our best to keep this to a minimum.
§ Mr. OsborneMy constituents are aware that jet pilots must get a fair amount of practice. What they hope is that this practice will be divided over the country and not concentrated too much in Lincolnshire.
Mr. WardI appreciate the point of view of my hon. Friend's constituents, and am most grateful to them for their forbearance. I asked one of my staff to go to Strubby last week specially to make an investigation, and in addition to making inquiries at the station, he also talked to the local police and local authority representatives. He found no evidence of a general feeling that the Royal Air Force was causing either unreasonable or avoidable disturbance.
§ Mr. OsborneIf I send my right hon. Friend the letters that I have received on the subject, will he read them?
§ Mr. de FreitasIn trying to help the constituents of his hon. Friend, will the right hon. Gentleman be very careful not to divert these aircraft over Lincoln?