§ 31. Mr. Brewisasked the Minister of Aviation whether he is aware that an aircraft passing through the sound barrier on 9th December last caused over 80W £100 worth of damage to a poultry farmer near Port William, Wigtownshire; and what instructions he has given to prevent a repetition of such damage.
§ Mr. RipponThe poultry farmer was informed on 4th January that the supersonic boom at Port William on 11th December was probably caused by Lightning aircraft on a test flight over the Irish Sea, and regret was expressed for the incident.
Instructions are in force which are designed to keep to a minimum any possible disturbance from supersonic flying; these were described to the House on 15th December, 1958, and 15th April, 1959.