§ 18. Mr. Barnesasked the Minister of Technology what progress is being made with the research currently being carried out into the practicability of requiring aircraft arriving at London Airport to make a steeper two-segment approach in order to reduce aircraft noise.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe Department is undertaking a programme to evaluate the feasibility of the two-segment approach, but it will be some time before an assessment can be made.
§ Mr. BarnesCan my hon. Friend say a little more about the timetable to which I believe the Royal Aircraft Establishment is working? Can he give an assurance that the Government will give full backing to this type of research in view of the great benefits that it could offer to people living immediately under the glide path to London Airport?
§ Mr. StonehouseI agree that it could be of immense significance in regard to noise some way from the airport, though it will not reduce the noise within four or five miles of the runways. We are 937 taking very serious interest in research being conducted not only in Britain at the Royal Aircraft Establishment but also in the United States.