§ 39. Mr. Straussasked the Minister of Aviation how many complaints have been made this year to the London Airport commander that aircraft taking off from runway I0R have deviated from the course laid down by the airport authority and thereby caused undue annoyance to those living in the residential area over which the aircraft has flown.
§ The Minister of Aviation (Mr. Duncan Sandys)Twenty-one.
§ Mr. StraussWhat action is the Minister taking about this? Most of these deviations go over a residential area, including a school, and cause a great deal of annoyance. Is he aware, moreover, that it is alleged that many of these deviations from the proper course are taken deliberately for the purpose of avoiding the instruments for measuring noise which are situated in Green Lane? In view of this fact, will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter carefully?
§ Mr. SandysI am watching it carefully.
§ Mr. A. C. ManuelThe right hon. Gentleman should listen to it.
§ Mr. SandysIt is not always easy to identify an aircraft about which complaint is made. In cases where this is possible and the information is sufficiently precise, the complaint is taken up with the airline concerned. In addition, a revised procedure has been introduced quite recently—in the last few weeks, in fact—and as a result aircraft are now required to fly rather further before being allowed to deviate. We have also made a change which should make it easier to identify the point at which they may deviate.
§ Mr. RankinDoes the Minister remember that one of these deviations almost caused an accident involving some very valuable Members from both sides of this House?
§ Mr. SandysI am very glad to see the hon. Member still with us.