HC Deb 16 March 1970 vol 798 c46W
102. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many night jet flights he expects at Gatwick in 1970 between the hours of 11.30 p.m. and 6 a.m. from 1st April to 31st October.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

The greater part of the period 11.30 p.m. to 6 a.m. will be covered by the airline operators' voluntary limitation to 4,950 movements between midnight and 6 a.m., which I announced on 25th February. I am not able to forecast with any accuracy the numbers likely in the half hour before midnight.

103. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that night at Heathrow Airport, London, is defined by him as 11.30 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the purpose of limiting night jet flights to 3,500 from 1st April to 31st October each year, why he has recently defined night at Gatwick Airport, London, as midnight to 6 a.m. for the purpose of the voluntary limitation of night jet flights there to 4,950 in 1970 over the same months.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

The definition of "night" depends on the circumstances at the airport being considered. The voluntary arrangement made for 1970 at Gatwick is entirely without prejudice to decisions for 1971 and beyond, which are now under review.