HC Deb 28 July 1975 vol 896 cc1277-9
11. Mr. Jessel

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if Concorde will be further tested for noise.

Mr. Clinton Davis

Yes, Sir. Special arrangements have been made to monitor Concorde's noise on take-off and landing at Heathrow throughout this summer's endurance flying programme.

Mr. Jessel

When the next test takes place, will the Minister or the Secretary of State stand under the flight path within about five miles of the airport so that he is personally aware of what people living near the airport will have to suffer? Why is there so much delay in publishing the results of the tests which have been carried out so far? Is the Minister aware that the Greater London Council, which has very great experience in carrying out noise tests, has already published the results of its own tests on Concorde showing that it makes a noise which is seven decibels louder than the next noisiest aircraft?

Mr. Davis

On that last point, the hon. Gentleman will be aware that the GLC has indicated that it is premature to come to any conclusive verdict about the matter at this stage. I resent the suggestion that there is any desire on the part of the Department to suppress the facts about these endurance tests. It is essential to look upon the tests as a whole, to analyse the results carefully and in accordance with international scientific standards, and then to announce the results. That is the Proper way to proceed. As for the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I propose to witness the take-off and landing of Concorde at the earliest possible opportunity.

Mrs. Millie Miller

Will my hon. Friend say whether there is any truth in a report appearing in a French periodical, Le Sauvage of 19th January, saying that during the course of one Concorde flight over the British Isles a Scottish farmer lost his whole herd of cattle, half the animals being said to have died on the spot and the remainder having to be put down because they had gone mad from the effects of the supersonic bang? The report adds that Her Majesty's Government decided to grant the farmer the sum of £14,000 in compensation for the damage.

Mr. Davis

I know of no such reports. In any event, the aircraft does not fly at supersonic speeds over the United Kingdom.

Mr. Warren

Although I respect the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel), and although I have great sympathy with people who live near airports, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to confirm that Concorde has met two out of the three required guarantees on noise for certification, that the third will probably be mastered by improved techniques, and that in New York the tests proved conclusively in the hands of American pilots that the aircraft could meet the requirements for noise take-off profiles in New York?

Mr. Davis

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. I agree with him entirely. He speaks with considerable expertise.

Sir Anthony Royle

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the fact that my constituents suffer just as badly as those of my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr. Jessel)—

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order.