HL Deb 21 July 1964 vol 260 cc535-6

2.36 p.m.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, what Governments, if any, have stated that they will allow civil aircraft to fly over their territory at supersonic speeds.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are not aware that any Government has indicated whether it will permit supersonic flights by civil aircraft over its territory. Neither is any known to have indicated that it will not.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his Answer, and I would ask him this. Have the Government made any estimate of the injury to health and comfort and the damage to property that the sonic boom will cause; and do they imagine that our people will find it any more tolerable than the people of Oklahoma?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, what I am aware of, as I have previously informed the House, is that the sonic boom problem is a real one, on which a good deal of work has been done and a good deal remains to be done. I would certainly acknowledge that it is not one that can be simply taken for granted or ignored.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, does my noble friend also agree that it has not been solved? Can he say why a few people in a hurry should be allowed to destroy the comfort of millions?

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS: Heat, hear!

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I have said, and say again, that this is a problem which has to be tackled. I know that it is not resolved, and I have said to the House before that, if it is not capable of technical resolution, there are operating methods with which to cope with it.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, would the noble Lord give an assurance that, before the Government obligate themselves to supersonic flight, they will give the opportunity to the British people of experiencing the noise and discomfort that arise therefrom?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I will certainly say that consideration will be given to the noble Lord's suggestion.

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