§ 8. Mr. John Huntasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of the recent representations he has received from residents living in the vicinity of Norman Park, Bromley, he will now rescind his provisional approval of the London borough of Bromley's proposed byelaws in respect of the flying of model aircraft in the parks and commons and reconsider the imposition of a total ban on flying of such machines, as orginally requested by Bromley Council.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Dr. Shirley Summerskill)Consultations between the Home Office and the council about alternatives to a total ban on the flying of power-driven model aircraft have recently ended without agreement. If the council will now make a byelaw in such terms as it thinks right, we shall consider it afresh in accordance with the statutory procedure.
§ Mr. HuntI thank the hon. Lady for that answer. When she considers the byelaw, will she bear in mind that this matter has been drifting on for a long time—almost two years—and that local residents are at the end of their tether, especially during weekends, when they are subjected to almost incessant and intolerable noise, as well as the risk of physical danger, from these machines, which often fly at between 60 and 100 m.p.h.? In these circumstances, does the hon. Lady agree that the request from Bromley Council for a total ban is perfectly reasonable? Should she not bow to local opinion on this matter?
§ Dr. SummerskillI can assure the hon. Gentleman that I am aware of the strong feelings that are held by some of his constituents about the dangers of the 1799 unrestricted flying which now goes on. Those feelings will be taken into consideration if the council formally submits a byelaw for consideration.