§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the progress of research and development into quiet aero engines and into short and vertical take-off aircraft, respectively.
§ Mr. OnslowThe Government have given support for many years to general
DOMESTIC SOLID SMOKELESS FUELS (m. tons) Premium grades Naturally smokeless Other grades Total Stocks End August 1972 … 0.38 0.16 0.45 0.99 End August 1973 … 0.43 0.16 0.73 1.32 Disposals Year ended August 1973 … 1.73 1.45 2.40 5.58 Production Year ended August 1973 … 1.85 1 .62 1.75* 5.22 * Production excludes hard coke, which is included in the disposals figures. Production is expected to exceed disposals during the next 12 months. No estimates of capacity are available.
§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the cutback in smokeless fuel production, particularly in the Yorkshire area, in recent months.
208Wresearch, in collaboration with industry and universities, on reducing the noise levels of aero engines. The results of this research have already contributed to the quieter new engines recently brought into service such as the RB211 and the M45H. This support now covers a wide range of methods for reducing aircraft noise, including contributions to programmes in industry aimed at demonstrating possible further reductions in aero engine noise. The Department of Trade and Industry, in conjunction with other Government Departments, industry and other relevant organisations, is also sponsoring a programme of studies, aimed at understanding the technological and economic implications of developments in future short-haul civil aircraft. Recent work indicates a probable trend in the next 10 to 15 years towards aircraft able to operate from moderate-length runways rather than towards those with short or vertical takeoff characteristics.