HC Deb 27 October 1966 vol 734 cc1272-3
2. Mr. Whitaker

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present level of aircraft noise over Central London; how this compares with previous years; and what is the maximum tolerable amount under his regulations.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Roy Mason)

Noise limits are imposed, and regular measurements made, only at the monitoring points near Heathrow; but the height of aircraft over Central London is controlled and we estimate that noise from individual aircraft in this area rarely exceeds 100 PNdB. Disturbance has increased, mainly due to growth in traffic, but I cannot quantify this.

Mr. Whitaker

Is my hon. Friend aware that even before Concord a growing number of the neighbours of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade found the present level of noise intolerable? It is getting worse. Will not my hon. Friend do the same as Paris and ban fights over Central London?

Mr. Mason

Not at this stage. Few aircraft departing from Heathrow fly over Central London. But most that come in have to fly over Central London. However, there are strict limits on their height. None flies lower than 2,000 ft.

Mr. A. Royle

As the life of those living below the glidepath to London Airport, particularly in Richmond and Barnes, is becoming intolerable, will the hon. Gentleman make it plain that his Ministry will take steps to deal with the matter by such measures as raising the angle of the glidepath when the wind is over a certain velocity rather than put forward public relations suggestions? This is a matter which is causing concern to hundreds of thousands of people in London.

Mr. Mason

I sympathise with all those residing near airports and suffering unnecessary perturbation. Some of the aircraft fly below the required level. and consequently the noise increases. But it is not possible for us to apply too strongly very strict limits on pilots making approaches to the aerodromes and thus endanger the lives of those on board.

Mr. R. Carr

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that, while we all accept that there is no immediate or magic cure for this problem, there must be a positive policy to do something about it? Sympathy is not enough. Will he recall the promises which the Prime Minister made during the 1964 election?

Mr. Mason

I cannot recall my right hon. Friend's promises. It is not just sympathy. As the right hon. Gentleman knows very well, next month there is to be an international noise conference in London. At least 27 countries may be participating, all with a view to trying to rectify this growing problem.