§ 47 and 48. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Minister of Technology (1) whether he is aware that the majority of the people of Bristol found sonic bangs unacceptable in recent tests overland; and whether he will now give an assurance that supersonic flying will be prohibited even if only a minority complain.
(2) whether he will make it a condition of any production contract with the British Aircraft Corporation that sales of Concorde aircraft may only be negotiated on the condition that the purchasers or operators shall not fly the aircraft supersonically over the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BennMy hon. Friend is, I believe, referring to a survey limited to some 220 people carried out in 1967. No decision has yet been taken on how flights by commercial supersonic airliners should be controlled over the United Kingdom. It would not be appropriate to impose restrictions by contractual action. The testing of Concorde is a separate matter and I hope to make a statement on this shortly.