HC Deb 28 November 1962 vol 668 cc401-2
24. Mr. Iremonger

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make available to those concerned with the planning of a heliport the experience of his Departmental research station on the problems of noise; and if he will refer the problem of helicopter noise to his research workers for special study.

Mr. Hay

Investigation into noise from motor vehicles has been done by the Motor Industry Research Association in conjunction with my Department and the National Physical Laboratory. Results have been published in the Interim Report of the Committee on the Problem of Noise which was presented to Parliament last July.

Problems arising from helicopter noise are primarily the concern of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation and are, I understand, within the field of inquiry of the Committee to which I have referred.

Mr. Iremonger

Is my hon. Friend aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation is suspected of having set his heart on developing these helicopter sites, come hell or high water, and that it really is important that the effect of noise should be made known to the public? Will my hon. Friend arrange to have the results of research into noise made known to the public so that they will be able to assess what sort of effect it will have on them if these helicopter ports are developed?

Mr. Speaker

I think that that is all out of order. The helicopter noise problem is apparently not for this Minister, nor, as far as I know, is hell or high water.

Mr. Ronald Bell

Can my hon. Friend say what his Department is doing about the Interim Report of the Wilson Committee on Noise from Motor Vehicles, to which he referred in his Answer? Is it just being allowed to lie, or is somebody going to do something about it?

Mr. Hay

My hon. Friend had better put that question down.