§ 24. Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Aviation what progress has been made with the construction of additional earth banks or baffle walls to abate aircraft noise at London Airport; and whether he will state an approximate completion date.
§ 29. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Minister of Aviation what is the number of earth banks, or baffle walls, that have been constructed at London Airport to abate aircraft noise; and what is the proposed number of additional ones.
§ Mr. RipponTwo earth banks have been built at London Airport, one by B.O.A.C. and one by Air India. The planning preparations for the construction of a second earth bank by B.O.A.C. and a noise barrier by Pan American are nearly complete and I hope that the airlines concerned will soon be able to occupy the sites and embark on speedy construction.
§ Mr. HunterWhile thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for that reply, I should like to ask him, in the interests of the local residents, if he will endeavour to speed up completion earlier than I think he has in mind, because these earth banks will help to abate aircraft noise.
§ Mr. RipponWe certainly agree that these earth banks and noise barriers should be completed as soon as possible, and my right hon. Friend is doing all he can to hasten completion.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonCan the hon. Gentleman say anything about the completion date of the Pan-American project, because it has been hanging fire for a very long period?
§ Mr. RipponIf all goes well—that includes many factors outside our control—it should be completed by next winter.
§ Sir B. CraddockWould my hon. Friend be good enough to explain the difference between an earth bank and a noise barrier?
§ Mr. RipponAn earth bank is an earth bank and a noise barrier is usually either a building or a wall.