HC Deb 26 November 1969 vol 792 cc419-22
33. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has not taken action to stop continual viola- tions of the minimum noise routeings laid down in the United Kingdom in the Putney-Roehampton area; why his Department take a long period to deal with admitted violations which are drawn to their attention; and what sanctions he now proposes to prevent further violations.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

I am not aware of such violations. It is not always possible for air traffic control to direct aircraft along these minimum noise routeings, but deviations are kept to the minimum.

Mr. Jenkins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a year ago his hon. Friend who was then in charge of this matter gave me an undertaking concerning the avoidance of the Putney-Roehampton area and that the Board of Trade since then has persistently routed aircraft over this area instead of over the minimum noise routeing area? Will he look into that?

Mr. Roberts

I will certain look further into the matter. I have already looked into it. I do not know that my information accords quite with what my hon. Friend said. I understand the concern felt in the area about noise and I will certainly look into the matter again.

Mr. Bessell

Does the right hon. Member agree that while it is vital to keep noise levels to the minimum, at the same time that should not be at the possible expense of safety?

Mr. Roberts

Yes. That is the dilemma, and the hon. Member has put it very fairly.

34. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that most aircraft landing at London Airport, Heathrow, carry about 100 passengers and that as much of the glide path area has a high population density some 18,000 people are subjected to nuisance per lienear mile of overflight; and if he will take appropriate action to prevent this nuisance.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

About six to seven million passengers a year land at Heathrow and unfortunately some disturbance to people in the glide path area is inevitable. The existing procedures on approaching to land, and noise insulation grants in the most exposed places, help keep this disturbance to a minimum. Aircraft noise certification will eventually do much to reduce the nuisance.

Mr. Jenkins

As Heathrow has the only glide path of any major airport in the world which involves flying over heavily populated residential areas, does not my right hon. Friend agree that this affords a reason for pressing on as quickly as possible with the development of the third London Airport, preferably at Foulness?

Mr. Roberts

As my hon. Friend knows, that is being done. I should like to stress the importance of achieving international agreement on aircraft noise certification. That will certainly help.

Mr. Russell Kerr

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his view that the noise scourge is being kept to a minimum is not widely held in the Cranford, Heston and Hounslow area, which has been suffering from this affliction and in which the affliction is getting worse every day?

Mr. Roberts

I take full note of what my hon. Friend says.

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

Has the right hon. Member any comment to make on the allegation that the noise recording machinery at Heathrow is deliberately falsified?

Mr. Roberts

No, except to say that that statement is false.

37. Mr. Worsley

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue instructions to ensure that all aircraft join the glide path at or above 3,000 feet.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

No, Sir. To do so would have a number of serious consequences which are unacceptable. Not least, all aircraft approaching Heathrow to land to the West would have to fly over central London, thus substantially widening the area likely to be affected by noise.

Mr. Worsley

Does the hon. Member agree that one of the consequences of doing this would be to reduce the noise, as high aircraft would make less noise near the ground over central London than low aircraft?

Mr. Roberts

I am advised that the net result would be to intesify noise at the closest point to the airport and to increase the amount of noise.

Mr. Lipton

is the Minister aware that some aircraft fly over central London at below 3,000 feet? Will he do something to stop that?

Mr. Roberts

I shall need to look closely at what my hon. Friend said.

38. Mr. Worsley

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an assurance that when jumbo-jets are introduced next summer they will use the existing three-degree glide path.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

The Boeing 747 will follow normal procedures including the use of the three-degree glide path just as any other airliner.

Mr. Worsley

Is the hon. Member aware that that assurance will be welcomed by those under the glide path? Will he go a little further and give an assurance that these new aircraft will not be noisier than existing types?

Mr. Roberts

I should not care to add to my original answer. If the hon. Member puts his point a little more specifically in another Question, I will see what I can do.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

As these aircraft will be larger than previous aircraft and will, therefore, carry more passengers per aircraft, is there any possibility that when they come into general use the number of flights will be reduced?

Mr. Roberts

I suppose that is possible. I could not say.