HC Deb 16 February 1966 vol 724 cc1292-3
3. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Minister of Aviation in view of the need to reduce aircraft noise at Gatwick, if he will ban training flights there from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and reduce training flights by day by diverting some of these to airports that are not being asked, as Gatwick is, to take the night traffic overspill from Heathrow.

Mr. Stonehouse

Training flights are already banned between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. save in exceptional circumstances. There are other restrictions on training flying, and I do not think these need to be increased at present.

Sir G. Sinclair

Is the Minister aware that Gatwick Airport is now being used for training flights by the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Air Force, B.O.A. C., B.E.A., and British United Airways? Will he take steps to reduce this unnecessary addition to the growing intensity of traffic and noise that Gatwick is receiving now that the Minister has limited the density of flights at Heathrow?

Mr. Stonehouse

I am quite prepared to consider any suggestion for the use of airports in other parts of the United Kingdom, but I think that it is quite acceptable that an airport like Gatwick must be used for training flights for pilots who have to familiarise themselves with procedures at an airport which is being used in this way.

Mr. A. Royle

Will the Parliamentary Secretary give an assurance that he will not transfer these training flights back to Heathrow?

Mr. Stonehouse

Heathrow is already so congested that I very much doubt whether we could find the time or the space for these aircraft to be used there.