§ Mr. John Pageasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the cross-runway at London Airport is being used more frequently and for what reason; and whether he will issue a direction to the British Airports Authority that it shall take steps to see that aircraft using it do not fly unnecessarily low in order to reduce nuisance from noise over Harrow.
§ Mr. OnslowRecent prevalence of strong cross-winds has, for safety reasons, required aircraft landing at Heathrow to use Runway 05/23 for long periods but the position should improve with a return to more normal conditions. This runway is used only for about 3 per cent. of the time in a typical year. The British Airports Authority is not responsible for the way in which aircraft are operated. Aircraft on approach to land are held by air traffic control as high as possible for as long as possible and use a 3 degree glide-slope on final descent to the runway.