HC Deb 09 May 1969 vol 783 cc143-4W
Mr. Pardoe

asked the Minister of Technology what estimate his Department has made of the cost of each supersonic flight by Concorde in compensation for personal injury and damage to buildings and other property caused by sonic booms, in the light of the analysis of the results of the boom tests conducted in 1968.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

Presumably the hon. Member is referring to the limited sonic bang exercise held in the summer of 1967, when Lightning aircraft were used. No valid extrapolation can be made since the characteristics of the Concorde and its operating conditions will be different. The answer will also depend on the regulations governing

Dr. Bray

The total Ministry of Technology expenditure in the field of computer aided design in the financial year ending 31st March, 1969 was approximately £1.5 million. Of this figure just over £1.1 million was in respect of capital expenditure associated with the Cambridge project and a further £40,000 in running expenses.