HC Deb 11 May 1966 vol 728 cc66-8W
49. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he is satisfied with the present arrangements under the district controller for co-ordinating the efforts being made by his Department, the National Air Traffic Control service and the British Airport Authority towards the abatement of aircraft noise; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Snow

Detailed arrangements have been made by my Department with the British Airports Authority regarding the control of noise from aircraft using the Authority's airports. I am satisfied that these arrangements will prove effective, but I shall naturally keep their working under review.

50. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps his Department and the airport authorities are taking in consultation with the aero-engine manufacturers to ensure that they reduce the noise of new aircraft both on the ground and in the air; and whether the need for collaboration at the design stage is to be considered at the forthcoming international conference which he is sponsoring.

Mr. Snow

My Department and the British Airports Authority keep closely in touch on all noise control matters affecting the B.A.A.'s airports. My Department is also actively engaged in sponsoring research to assist manufacturers in the design and production of quieter aircraft. The International Conference, in which manufacturers will participate, will certainly consider the need for the production of quieter aircraft and how this can be achieved.

Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he is taking, as Minister responsible for aircraft noise, to encourage the design of mufflers for the new generation of aircraft having about twice the engine thrust of large aircraft of today.

Mr. Snow

We are sponsoring the development of mufflers for current and projected military aircraft. In many cases these have to cover engine reheat conditions which are more severe than the non-reheat conditions encountered in civil operations so that the results of this development work can usefully be applied to the new generations of civil aircraft also. The results will be made fully available to the operators.

Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Minister of Aviation what results were achieved by the recent experiments at Gatwick with minimum noise procedures.

Mr. Snow

The experiments did not provide sufficient information to enable a decision to be made regarding permanent arrangements. Further and more extensive trials will start a week before Whitsun.

Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Minister of Aviation when the mufflers used at Gatwick for reducing aircraft noise on the ground will come into full operation; and what effect he expects that they will have.

Mr. Snow

One muffler for VC10 and one for BAC 1-11 aircraft are already in operation. The work of fitting roofs should be completed by 1st July, 1966, and this addition is expected to improve attenuation by 4–5 decibels. It is hoped that full attenuation will then be 20–25 decibels over the greater part of the audible range. Tests will be carried out by my Department when the work is completed, on behalf of the airlines.