§ Mr. Braineasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the growth of air traffic, the use of larger planes, and increasing aircraft noise in the vicinity of airports since the publication of the Final Report of the Committee on the Problem of Noise, Command Paper No. 2056, he will now set up an inquiry into the effect of such noise upon health and the means of obviating the nuisance now caused.
213W
§ Mr. DarlingWith regard to the effect of aircraft noise on health, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Health. I am fully aware of the problem of disturbance from aircraft noise and we are constantly considering further ways of mitigating it. I am not persuaded that a special inquiry would contribute to progress.
§ Sir N. Cooper-Keyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the noise of hovercraft operating off-shore is causing widespread and continual annoyance to local residents; and whether he will seek power to enable him to direct that these operations should cease, or alternatively that the craft should operate directly out to sea and not parallel to the coastline.
§ Mr. DarlingI have been asked to reply.
I am not aware that the noise of hovercraft operating off-shore is causing widespread and continual annoyance to local residents.
The question of promoting legislation to deal with the operation and regulation 214W of hovercraft is being considered. In the meantime operation of hovercraft is controlled by means of Permits to Fly issued under Article 4 of the Air Navigation Order, 1960. The operators of hovercraft services are required to produce evidence that local authorities have been consulted and have given their approval before a Permit to Fly is issued for specific operations.
I am assured by operators that efforts are made both by the evolution of improved operating techniques and by cooperation with the local authorities to minimise the inconvenience of noise.