§ 70. Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total expenditure from public funds on research and development work on the suppression of aircraft engine noise in each of the past five years; and what funds are allocated for this purpose in each of the next three years.
§ Mr. CorfieldSome of the most important advances in this field are to be expected from the work now in progress directed at reduction of noise in the Olympus 593 engine for Concorde and development of the RB211 and M45H engines; it is not, however, possible to isolate expenditure specifically directed towards noise reductions within the total spending on these projects. In addition, expenditure on research and development work in this field has averaged approximately £1 million per annum over the years 1970–72 and increased from £0.5 million to £1.3 million between 1967–68 and 1969–70. Precise funding for the next few years is not yet determined but is not expected to fall below current levels.