HC Deb 16 May 1960 vol 623 cc919-22
47. Mr. Hunter

asked the Minister of Aviation how many delayed flights by jet aircraft have been allowed to leave London Airport between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. since 1st April, 1960.

49. Mr. Skeffington

asked the Minister of Aviation how many delayed flights by jet aircraft have been allowed to leave London Airport between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. since 1st April, 1960.

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

Forty-four delayed departures by jet aircraft have been permitted up to and including 10th May.

Mr. Hunter

Can the hon. Gentleman say who makes the decision to permit delayed flights of jet airliners at night? Has the hon. Gentleman laid down any guidance for the officials at London Airport?

Mr. Rippon

The decision has to be taken on the spot. Delays are caused sometimes by mechanical defects and sometimes by the weather. In 31 of these delayed flights the aircraft departed before midnight.

Mr. Skeffington

I am sure that the Parliamentary Secretary will realise that the figures he has given indicate that there is an average of at least one delayed flight a night in addition to those for which permission has been already given in respect of jet aircraft. Can he look at the matter again to see whether anything could be done to prevent these arrivals?

Mr. Rippon

The airlines themselves have the greatest interest in keeping to the scheduled time. We cannot control such factors as the weather.

48. Mr. Hunter

asked the Minister of Aviation if he is aware that Swissair and Scandinavian Airways have published their intention to fly scheduled flights of the Caravelle jet airliner from or to London Airport at 0130, 0515, and 2325 hours from 24th May and 2nd June, respectively; what applications he has received from these airlines to operate during the night with jet aircraft at London Airport; and if he will give an assurance that these applications will not be granted.

50. Mr. Skeffington

asked the Minister of Aviation if he is aware that Swissair and Scandinavian Airways have published their intention to fly scheduled flights of the Caravelle jet airliner from or to London Airport at 0130, 0515, and 2325 hours from 24th May and 2nd June, respectively; what applications he has received from these airlines to operate during the night with jet aircraft at London Airport; and if he will give an assurance that these applications will not be granted.

Mr. Sandys

I have received applications from Swissair and the Scandinavian Airlines for permission to operate services at night with Caravelles. Before considering these applications I am having noise tests made. The two companies have been informed that they should not assume that a decision one way or the other can be reached before the dates they have announced for the start of their new services.

Mr. Hunter

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the advertisements of these airline companies have caused concern among my constituents? As permission has already been given to B.E.A., they are wondering whether permission will be given to other airlines. Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that the people around London Airport are sceptical of his noise tests? Will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that the next ones he introduces are carried out very carefully indeed?

Mr. Sandys

I think that the noise tests are quite satisfactory. It is the noise that is unsatisfactory. I am as much concerned as anyone about the problem of aircraft noise. I have asked the airline operators, the manufacturers and the scientists to meet me in order to have a thorough discussion of the whole problem as soon as possible.

Mr. Skeffington

In view of the categorical assurance which the Minister gave about permission being given only for the Comet 4B jet aircraft at night, will he not agree that it is presumptuous of these companies already to have issued advertisements about their scheduled jet flights at night? Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that Table VI of B.E.A.'s time-table already gives details about these flights in May? Is not this a scandalous thing that has happened in the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

Mr. Sandys

I have not control over what people print in the way of timetables or advertisements.

Mr. Skeffington

What about B.E.A.?

Mr. Sandys

I do not edit B.E.A.'s publications It has taken a chance and it has been warned that it is quite likely that no decision will have been reached by the time that those services are due to begin.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, after carrying out the test, if he refuses to give permission for the Caravelles to operate from London, the Swiss authorities may well refuse B.E.A. permission to operate the Comet 4B from Zurich at night?

Mr. Sandys

That is a very relevant consideration.

Mr. Chetwynd

Is not the real answer to all this to press ahead with all means of avoiding noise wherever possible?

Mr. Sandys

That is a very wise suggestion.