§ 48. Mr. Critchleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make provision for a subscription to be paid from Government moneys towards the cost of soundproofing houses situated close to airfields, and in particular to the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe responsibility for sound insulation near civil airfields rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and near defence airfields with my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. They both institute schemes where they consider it appropriate, and these include provision for grants to be paid by aerodrome operators.
§ Mr. Allasonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the criticisms expressed about the Maplin airport project, it is still the Government's intention to improve the environment of those suffering from existing airports in the London area.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsYes. The Government remain convinced of the need for Maplin and are pressing on with the necessary planning so as to meet the inevitable increase in air traffic and also to bring relief at the earliest possible time to the noise and environmental problems created by the existing airports in the region.