HC Deb 15 March 1967 vol 743 cc496-8

20. Sir G. Sinclair asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now publish a White Paper explaining the main conclusions of the international conference on aircraft noise recently held in London, the British record in this field and his proposals for the future.

72. Mr. A. Royle asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will publish a White Paper following the conclusion of the recent conference on aircraft noise.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

The conclusions of the conference will be found in the report which is to be placed in the Library of the House. These conclusions are fairly straightforward and do not call for a White Paper to explain them. I do not, however, rule out the possibility of a White Paper on the whole question of aircraft noise later in the year.

Sir G. Sinclair

I thank the Minister for that reply, but, he being responsible to the public for the control of aircraft noise, will he hasten the publication of a White Paper to put the public in possession of the full facts, not only on the results of the international conference, but on the whole problem, what the Government have done about it and what they propose to do about it in the light of the conference?

Mr. Mallalieu

I appreciate the importance of the hon. Gentleman's point, but I want to be able to make firm proposals on noise certification of engines before I publish the White Paper.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that it is not merely a White Paper that is required but an actual reduction in aircraft noise? With that in view, can he say that he has looked at the proposals which I have made to amend my Bill to meet Government points, and will the Government give approval, or at least withdraw any opposition, to the Private Member's Bill that I hope to introduce on 28th April?

Mr. Mallalieu

Of course, the important point is not the production of White Papers but the reduction of noise. We shall achieve that by reducing engine noise, and that is a matter for research.

22. Mr. Hordern asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue a general direction to the British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways to insist on a considerable reduction in the level of engine noise in filling the requirements for any aircraft they may order.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

No, Sir. A general direction on these lines would not be appropriate or desirable.

Mr. Hordern

Is not the Minister aware that the United States Government have given 10 million dollars to the Douglas and Boeing Aircraft Companies to reduce aircraft engine noise? What comparable sums are being given to British companies for the same purpose?

Mr. Mallalieu

That is another question, but we want to encourage all companies, whether independent, publicly-owned or foreign, in this respect, that is the whole basis of our effort.

Mr. R. Carr

Would not this purpose be served by making sure that Rolls Royce gets maximum support for the development of its new technology on engine noise?

Mr. Mallalieu

Yes. I think it would, and the firm is going ahead very fast in this matter.