HC Deb 23 March 1960 vol 620 cc472-3
2. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Air what complaints he has received of unnecessary noise caused by aircraft at the Royal Air Force Station at West Mailing.

Mr. Ward

There have been a number of letters from people living near the airfield. The squadron's essential training programme is bound to cause some disturbance; but we do all we can to keep this to a minimum.

I hope the main cause of complaint will be removed when the Javelins move away from this airfield in the autumn.

Mr. de Freitas

Will the Secretary of State impress on his hon. Friend—who is reported to have said that unnecessary noise was caused there by incompetent flying—that unsubstantiated remarks like that are very much resented in the Royal Air Force?

Mr. Ward

I quite agree. The pilots of this squadron are highly skilled and experienced. I recognise that there is a real problem of disturbance at the moment; but matters are not helped by allegations of that kind.