§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Aviation Supply why Stansted has ceased to be acceptable for the training of pilots for the British Overseas Airways Corporation; and if he will state the requirements that have necessitated the transfer to Thurleigh.
§ Mr. CorfieldIn the past B.O.A.C. has used both Stansted and Thurleigh for part of its training programme. In the future more will be done at Thurleigh and less at Stansted. Thurleigh is more suitable because of the difficulty132W of fitting in training flights with commercial operations at Stansted.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Aviation Supply what is the size of the training school at present stationed at Stansted that is intended to be moved to Thurleigh; and by what date the transfer will be completed.
§ Mr. CorfieldThere are no plans to transfer any training school to Thurleigh.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Aviation Supply whether he envisages any alterations or extensions to existing runways at Thurleigh to facilitate the training of pilots belonging to the British Overseas Airways Corporation and other airlines; how many additional units of housing will be required to accommodate the pilots and staff; and where these will be located.
§ Mr. CorfieldNo alterations or extensions to existing runways are envisaged. No additional units of housing will be required since no B.O.A.C. staff or pilots will be stationed at Thurleigh.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Aviation Supply whether it is proposed to add to the acreage already held by the Government at Thurleigh either by the acquisition or leasing of additional farm land.
§ Mr. CorfieldThere is no present intention or foreseeable need to acquire additional land at Thurleigh.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Aviation Supply how the assignment of additional training facilities at Thurleigh will fit in with the existing defence establishments and defence requirements of the area.
§ Mr. CorfieldThe normal research and development programme of the establishment will take precedence.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Aviation Supply in view of the Roskill Commission's Report that the Third London Airport should not be located at Thurleigh, whether he will reconsider 133W locating the new wind tunnels at that site, or whether tenders have been accepted for building them at Farnborough.
§ Mr. CorfieldOnly one new wind tunnel is in the planning stage at present. Tenders for its construction at Farnborough have been accepted.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Aviation Supply if he will indicate the measurement of noise likely to be experienced when the transfer of the pilots' training school has been completed at the following towns and villages, Bedford, Thurleigh, Milton Ernest, Riseley, Pavenham, Oakley, Sharnbrook, Bolnhurst, Keysoe and Pertenhall and give comparative figures of the noise from aircraft now being experienced in these areas.
§ Mr. CorfieldNo training school is being transferred. The additional training flights will result in an increase from a current 30,000 aircraft movements to 40,000 per annum. There will be an increase in flying activity between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays. Noise contours are in course of preparation, and at this stage it is impossible to quantify noise levels for the 10 places mentioned in the Question. None of B.O.A.C.'s aircraft has noise levels higher than those of aircraft currently using the airfield.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Aviation Supply whether he is prepared to give an assurance that Thurleigh will not be used for commercial flying by international airlines on regular routes but will be confined to the training of pilots, general research and development and defence purposes.
§ Mr. CorfieldThere are at present no plans for the use of Thurleigh as a commercial airport. It will be understood that Government have not yet reached any decision on the recommendations of the Roskill Commission.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Aviation Supply if he will state the number of movements likely to be attained at Thurleigh by June, 1972, measured at an annual rate; and how this compares with the number of movements experienced at Stansted at the present time.
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§ Mr. CorfieldMovements at Thurleigh are expected to reach an annual rate of 40,000 in June, 1972, compared with a current annual rate at Stansted which I understand to be about 44,500 (calendar year 1970).