§ Mr. Derek Pageasked the Minister of Technology (1) what supersonic flight tests connected with Concorde development have taken place over The Wash area during the last two months;
(2) whether he will give an assurance that public warning will be given regarding the approximate time and place of all future sonic boom tests connected with Concorde development.
§ Mr. Derek Pageasked the Secretary of State for Defence what supersonic flights have taken place over The Wash area during the last two months for non-civilian research purposes.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuI have been asked to reply to the Question addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.
Nineteen supersonic flights have taken place over the Wash area during the last two months. This number was greater than usual because flights planned for the beginning of the year had to be postponed due to bad weather. The flights were a continuation of the Department's general research programme for studying supersonic operating techniques for both service and civil aircraft. It is not practicable to give public warning of sonic bangs likely to result from R & D flying of this kind since the programme frequently has to be altered at short notice due to factors such as weather and availability of aircraft. But as was made clear in the House on Tuesday, 25th July, 1967, a public an-announcement will be made of any tests specifically designed to test public reaction to sonic bang.—[Vol. 751, c. 438.]