§ 3.18 p.m.
§ LORD THOMASMy 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 during the emergency they will relax the requirement for civil airliners to make steep full-throttle climb-outs on take-off, which method of operation greatly increases the consumption of fuel.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, there is no requirement for civil airliners to make a steep full throttle climb-out on take-off. Noise abatement procedures with which aircraft must comply do not necessitate a climb rate greater than would be the case if there were no such required procedures.
§ LORD THOMASMy Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that informative reply, but is he aware that we are getting some curious Answers to Questions in this House? Is he aware that yesterday we were told that a lorry travelling at 50 m.p.h. does not use more fuel than one travelling at 40 m.p.h.? Now we are told that an aircraft on a steep climb does not use more fuel than one on a more moderate climb-out?