HL Deb 16 April 1970 vol 309 cc553-5

3.6 p.m.

LORD SORENSEN

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 to what extent it is estimated that air-craft exhaust causes or increases air pollution, particularly in the vicinity of airports; and in view of the further increase in aircraft in this country what consideration is being given to this hazard to amenity and health.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, periodic measurements of air pollution carried out over the past few years, both in this country and the United States of America, have indicated that, even in the vicinity of major airports, aircraft exhausts are responsible for less than 1 per cent, of total atmospheric pollution and are not a hazard to health. A further series of tests has recently commenced at Heath-row, and a close watch is being kept on the situation.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, may I ask him when we shall have a report regarding this fresh investigation? Further, does he not agree that the visible exhaust discharge which comes from air-craft and which must descend to the ground represents a hazard both to health and to amenities?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, on the first point, I may say that there will be no published report, but if my noble friend wishes to put down another Question after the result of this investigation is made known I shall be happy to give him any further information available. As to the second part of his supplementary question, I agree that, looking up into the sky, one sometimes feels that there is a certain amount of pollution about. But I am assured that the amount deposited on the ground is in as small a quantity as I have indicated.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, may I ask when we can expect the report?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, as I have said, there will be no published report; but I imagine that these inquiries will take about a month as from now. I will advise my noble friend when it will be useful to put down a Question.

LORD BYERS

My Lords, would the Minister not agree that, even if there is no health hazard, the smell at Heathrow is getting worse and worse, month by month? Surely this must have an effect on the people working there.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I myself asked about the smell. It does not constitute a health hazard. On the other hand, as I have already said inquiries are being continued into this matter.

THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGH

My Lords, am I right in saying that the dangers in the upper atmosphere are perhaps even more serious, because the air is much thinner and the balance much more critical? Some scientists are more concerned about that aspect.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I sup-pose the point is that my noble friend Lord Sorensen spends less time up there than he does down here.

LORD MOLSON

My Lords, may we be assured that the Royal Commission on Pollution will give attention to this matter as well as to all other forms of air pollution?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I will certainly see that what the noble Lord says is brought to the attention of those concerned.

LORD WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, has my noble friend any figures on the actual amount of carbon dioxide generated per take-off? I estimate that probably it is 1lb. of carbon dioxide per take-off, which is mainly given off in the immediate vicinity of the ground.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, the noble Lord is pursuing a line of inquiry which I myself pursued. If one talks about one per cent., I want to know, "One per cent, of what?" The further inquiries that are now taking place should give us more information in relation to the question the noble Lord is asking.

LORD IRONSIDE

My Lords, could the noble Lord say which pollutants are going to be monitored in the new tests at Heathrow?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, the dis-charges from aero engines.