HC Deb 05 May 1971 vol 816 cc379-80W
Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware of the alarm and confusion caused by the Concorde bang in the Belfast area on Saturday, 24th April, at 12.30 p.m., and, having regard to the number of explosions of a different nature which are occurring, if he will arrange for due notice to be given, or for the time being avoid sonic booms which may be heard in that area.

Mr. Corfield

I am sorry for any disturbance Concorde's boom may have caused. Advance warning is already given by the British Aircraft Corporation to the Press whenever a flight by Concorde down the West Coast is scheduled to take place. In addition, B.A.C. has now arranged for the B.B.C. regional station at Belfast to be informed immediately after take-off. This will enable the B.B.C. to broadcast a warning of the exact time the flight can be expected overhead.