§ 4. Mr. Brockwayasked the Minister of Health if, in view of its siting under the air path of west routed jet aeroplanes from Heathrow, he will include soundproof constructions in the new hospital at Wexham.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernard Braine)No, Sir. The hospital is not so sited.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the hon. Gentleman aware that it is only one mile north of the very thin flight line from which these planes depart and, in view of the fact that we are likely in future to have even faster aeroplanes, will not he do something for those in hospital whose sleep is disturbed by the noise of jet aircraft?
§ Mr. BraineI have made very careful inquiry about this. I am advised that the site of the new Wexham Park District General Hospital is some seven miles north-west of London Airport mid-point and that it does not lie under the flight path of the jet planes from Heathrow routed either to the west or north-west.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the hon. Gentleman aware that only last Friday I was at the airport and saw officials about this route and that the route goes just south of the hospital, which is not more than one mile or so distant from the line of route, from which the planes very frequently diverge?
§ Mr. BraineI think it is true that Wexham is in line with the north-west, south-east subsidiary runway. Aircraft bound for the north-east, which constitute some 8 per cent. of the total, after a westerly take-off will normally pass well clear of Wexham, but occasionally under radar control they may be turned so as to pass over its vicinity. Then, however, they will be at 3,000 ft., at which height aircraft are not normally found to cause disturbance. I do not think this a question which is susceptible to exchanges across the Table. I would ask the hon. Gentleman to let me have any additional evidence he may have which is causing him and his constituents anxiety.
§ Mr. BrockwayCertainly.