§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy 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 whether they can confirm or deny the Press report that the American Federal Aviation Agency has stated that its latest research into noise from supersonic airliners indicated that it would be so loud and injurious that civil airliners could not be allowed to fly at supersonic speeds over American territory.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (LORD BESWICK)My Lords, my information is that the Federal Aviation Agency has not made such a statement.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his reply. Did he see the detailed and important article in the Economist of the 3rd of this month? Would it be possible for Her Majesty's Government to ascertain whether the Agency had made such a report as is there stated?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I had seen the article, which seems to be part of a long and rather bitter campaign by the Economist against the Concord project. In answer to the latter part of the supplementary question, we had indeed asked that inquiries be made of the F.A.A. and a telegram received this morning confirms that it has not made a statement along these lines.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord. May I ask him this one further supplementary question? In framing their plans for the Concord, have Her Majesty's Government taken into consideration the possibility, indeed the probability, that it will not be allowed to fly at supersonic speeds over the territory of any civilised country?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, this has been taken into account, and although the economics of supersonic transport would be affected by limitation on overland flying, it does not rule out a supersonic aircraft. Moreover, I should just add that it is possible that the reports or rumours about the alleged opinion of the F.A.A. spring from the fact that it has asked for a study to be made by the North American Aviation Company of the development of a supersonic aircraft which is smaller than that now contemplated by the Americans. If that is so, it indicates that the Americans are thinking of an aircraft about the size of the Concord with a consequent lower level of sonic trouble.