§ 2.38 p.m.
§ The Earl of CORK and ORRERYMy 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 is the function of the Midhurst radio beacon, and what aircraft are required to use it.
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I am advised by the Civil Aviation Authority that the Midhurst Beacon serves to define a number of standard aircraft routes passing through the South and South-West sectors of the London Terminal Control Area and that these routes are prescribed for aircraft inbound and outbound to both Gatwick and Heathrow, as well as for some aircraft overflying the terminal area.
§ The Earl of CORK and ORRERYMy Lords, while I am most grateful to the noble Lord for that reply, can he confirm that in terms of numbers of aircraft flying over it and numbers of air lanes, this is the busiest beacon in Europe, if not possibly in the world? Is there any good reason why, in the interests of safety on the ground, it should not be moved Southwards into the English Channel, where I think there are already in position beacons for the convenience of the services of the French Concorde?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I can confirm that it is a very busy area. In regard to the suggestion made by the noble Earl, I should like to say, first, that I appreciate his having given me notice that he was proposing to put this forward as it has given me an opportunity to make inquiries. I understand that this suggestion was put forward some time ago by the 699 Haslemere Action Group, of which the noble Earl is President. An initial examination of the suggestion showed that there would be almost insuperable technical difficulties in installing the beacon on the sea. Moreover, it is not thought that there would be any safety advantages. However, I have asked that the suggestion should be looked at further and I am glad to learn that the Group of which the noble Earl is President has now accepted an invitation to attend a meeting with the Civil Aviation Authority, which should give an opportunity for this suggestion and others to be thoroughly examined.
§ The Earl of KINNOULLMy Lords, in view of my noble friend's concern, can the noble Lord say whether there is at present any danger of over-capacity of this beacon; and do military aircraft use the beacon as well as civil aircraft?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I have heard of no suggestion that there is overcapacity. I should need to have notice of the question in relation to military use of the beacon.