HC Deb 19 March 1969 vol 780 cc462-3
5. Mr. Brooks

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will indicate which British civil airports are intended to handle the Concorde; and which airports are unsuitable for supersonic transport owing to noise level, at take-off.

Mr. William Rodgers

It is not yet known which British airports other than Heathrow the operators of the Concorde will wish to serve. It has always been a design aim of Concorde that it should be no noisier than current large jets.

Mr. Brooks

In view of the mischievous allegations which were recently published in the Washington Post and which are claimed to have originated in the F.A.A., can my hon. Friend indicate how soon we shall know the noise levels of Concorde and, which is perhaps equally to the point, how soon we shall know the noise levels of the Boeing SST?

Mr. Rodgers

I cannot give an answer to the second part, because we do not even know that there is to be one. I entirely agree that there has been a certain amount of mischievous comment which I think reflects a debate going on within the United States on the whole question of SST. The Concorde will be test-flown over a considerable period. We shall not know exactly what the noise levels will be until it has taken off in normal operating conditions.

Mr. Fortescue

Does the Minister of State agree that airports whose approach is over water would be eminently suitable for the operation of Concorde and that, therefore, for its destination in the Northwest of England Liverpool would be the best place?

Mr. Rodgers

Liverpool has many admirable qualities to recommend it. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman's views would be entirely shared by those who might be under the flight path.

Mr. Ellis

In an effort to discount these rumours, will my hon. Friend say what talks he has had with the Americans as to what their attitude is likely to be? If he has had no such talks, will he forthwith get into consultation with the Americans so that we can find out something about what their attitude is likely to be and know a little more about it?

Mr. Rodgers

We need to know exactly what the noise levels are before discussions begin. Hypothetical exchanges would not help the situation. We shall be in the closest consultations with the Americans about the problems of SST noise, just as we are pressing ahead and taking a lead in dealing with aircraft noise from conventional aircraft.