HL Deb 24 July 1967 vol 285 cc679-80WA
LORD CLITHEROE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many aeroplanes passed over the City of Westminster or the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea during the first sixteen days of July and how many of them failed to comply with regulations with respect to noise or height.

LORD WALSTON

It is estimated that approximately 2,800 of the aircraft using Heathrow during this period passed over the City of Westminster or the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. There may also have been a number of high-level overflying aircraft. There is no regular monitoring of the heights of aircraft in this area but spot checks and surveys made in the past have shown that pilots rarely deviate significantly from the height clearances given to them by Air Traffic Control. There are no specific regulations covering noise in this area: noise is controlled by regulations covering the height at which aircraft fly. There is no evidence that any of the aircraft during this period came below the authorised height.

LORD CLITHEROE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What regulations are in force governing the height and noise of aeroplanes crossing South-West London.

LORD WALSTON

The height of aeroplanes crossing South-West London is governed by the Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Control Regulations 1966 and by the Board of Trade's requirements under Section 14 of the Airports Authority Act 1965, which are designed to limit the noise disturbance of aircraft using Heathrow and are published in the United KingdomAir Pilot (AGA Section page 116A). The effect of these regulations and requirement is that aeroplanes over South-West London are not normally permitted to fly below 2,000 ft.

House adjourned at nine minutes past six o'clock.