§ Mr. Hayhoeasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) whether he is satisfied with the adequacy of control over the number of helicopter movements at the Battersea Heliport;
(2) if he will take steps to reduce the number of helicopter flights over the Brentford and Chiswick area;
(3) what noise limits are imposed upon helicopter flights in the Greater London area.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThere are no noise limits applying to aircraft, including helicopters, in flight in the Greater London area. Helicopter flights are, however, restricted to a few prescribed routes and pilots are instructed to fly as close to the maximum permissible height of 1,000 feet as is operationally possible, not only for safety reasons but also to reduce disturbance. Possible changes in helicopter routes, which may reduce disturbance in areas including Brentford and Chiswick, are being considered by the Civil Aviation Authority. Control of the number of movements at Battersea Heliport is, effectively, exercised by the Greater London Council through its planning powers, and it is understood that the council has called upon the heliport management to reduce the number of movements during 1974.