HC Deb 25 February 1970 vol 796 cc331-2W
66. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the increase of night jet flights at Gatwick for the summer period ended 31st October, 1969, to 4,509, and of the upward trend of traffic shown by the increase in passenger traffic from 1st January to 31st December, 1969, of 45.4 per cent. over 1968, what success he has had in securing agreement on a limitation of night jet flights during the summer season of 1970 to the level approved of 3,500 for Heathrow.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

I understand that in the absence of any restriction in 1970 a total of some 6,000 night jet movements have been estimated to take place at Gatwick between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. in the seven months April to October. I have, therefore, held urgent discussions with the airlines and they have agreed to put a voluntary limit of 4,950 to the number of such movements this year. I am satisfied that this concession represents a considerable effort by all concerned to protect the amenity of Gatwick residents and is without prejudice to the detailed review of night jet traffic at Gatwick for subsequent years which has already been announced.

67. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the increase of night jet flights at Gatwick during the 1969 summer season to 4,509, over 1,000 more than the number permitted at Heathrow, if he will now authorise the payment of soundproofing grants at Gatwick similar to those approved for Heathrow.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

This is one of the matters I shall be considering in the context of the forthcoming review of night jet traffic at Gatwick and the measures that are needed to protect amenity for 1971 and subsequently.