HC Deb 27 June 1960 vol 625 c963
40. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Aviation to what extent research has been carried out on fitting silencers to aircraft engines while flying; what loss of power would result from such fitment; and whether it is expected that such silencers could shortly be applied to commercial aircraft.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation (Mr. Geoffrey Rippon)

Suppressors that reduce the noise of jet engines in flight without excessive loss of power have been developed and are already fitted to many aircraft, including the Comet 4 series aircraft and to the Boeing 707's.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

As it does not seem possible to move London Airport to the Scottish hills, as many of my constituents would like, will my hon. Friend agree that it should be possible to fit silencers to petrol-engined aircraft? Before the war the Puss Moth had a silence box affixed to it? Does my hon. Friend hold out any hope of having such silencers fitted to the larger petrol-engined aircraft?

Mr. Rippon

I think that most aircraft will be fitted with silencers. I have given two examples. They are being fitted to other aircraft also.