HC Deb 20 January 1971 vol 809 cc277-8W
17. Mr. Pardoe

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply how many complaints have been received by his Department of illness, dizziness, or pain caused by sonic booms; and how many of these were justified.

Mr. David Price

The Department has so far received 26 letters in which the writers stated that Concorde's boom had affected them physically. Most of the effects described were minor. Such cases are not investigated individually unless a serious effect on health is alleged.

18. Mr. Pardoe

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply how many complaints have been received by his Department and its agents of actual physical damage to buildings as a result of the Concorde boom; how many of these have been investigated; how many have proved justified; and in how many cases was the structure concerned on the point of failure.

Mr. David Price

Up to 15th January there had been 395 claims for damage to structures from Concorde's sonic boom. 123 had been accepted, and 41 rejected or not pursued by the claimant. The remainder are still being investigated. In general, our experience so far is that where damage has occurred this has stemmed from an existing weakness in the structure.

Mr. Pardoe

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply how many complaints have been received by his Department of children being hysterical as a result of sonic booms; and how many were justified.

Mr. David Price

Four of the letters we have received following Concorde's test flights mentioned that children had been disturbed by Concorde's boom, but none stated that a child had become hysterical.

Mr. Pardoe

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what investigations he has carried out into the effect of sonic booms on the nesting habits of sea birds.

Mr. David Price

Ministry officials are discusing with the Nature Conservancy the possibility of making a detailed study of the effects of Concorde's boom during the coming breeding season.

Mr. Pardoe

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what investigations he has made into the effects of sonic booms on unborn babies.

Mr. David Price

The effect of a sonic boom in such cases will be similar to that of any loud noise. There is no evidence that it is likely to cause harm to unborn children.

Mr. Pardoe

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what investigations he has made of complaints that sonic booms have caused cliff falls on Lundy Island; and whether these were justified.

Mr. David Price

No such complaints have been received.

Mr. Pardoe

asked the Minister of Aviation Supply what consideration he has given to the evidence by the authorities of three United States national parks that sonic booms cause rock falls, a copy of which is in his possession; and if he will publish his findings.

Mr. David Price

My right hon. Friend is aware of these reports but the circumstances were quite different from those of Concorde's test flights. The possible effect of Concorde's boom on cliffs was investigated very carefully before the present series of tests was authorised, and their actual effect has since been measured. The effect on an unstable cliff proved to be about twice that of a single moderate sea wave. This suggests that, by comparison with the cumulative effect of waves, the effects of Concorde's boom will be negligible.