HC Deb 23 November 1959 vol 614 cc2-3W
Mr. Speir

asked the Minister of Aviation whether his attention has been drawn to complaints of the noise caused by rocket motors being tested at his Department's engine testing station at Spadeadam Waste in Cumberland; what steps he proposes to take to abate such noise; and whether he will ensure that noise is not emitted between dusk and dawn.

Mr. Sandys

Yes. It was made clear before the decision to build the establishment at Spadeadam was taken that the tests will cause intensive but infrequent noise. Our present plans provide for running rocket motors for periods not exceeding three or four minutes at a time and about four times a day. The aim is to carry out firing tests during normal working hours, which end at 5.30 p.m., but for technical reasons it will happen that work must continue into the evening. The management of the establishment is fully alive to the desirability of minimising firings after dark.