§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now propose that more severe standards for aircraft noise certification be introduced internationally from 1st January, 1973, and in any event impose more severe standards in Great Britain from 1st January, 1973.
§ Mr. OnslowNo. The Government are working within the framework of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Committee on Aircraft Noise to ensure that internationally agreed aircraft noise certification levels are realistic, and are confident that further steps will be agreed at the next meeting of this Committee in March, 1973. It is the Government's considered view that noise certification is a matter for international agreement and not unilateral action.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will 158W instruct that landing noise is to be regularly measured and reported at all airports, beginning with Heathrow, in view of the fact that this measurement is carried out in other countries.
§ Mr. OnslowAircraft coming in to land must, for safety reasons, keep to the glide-slope and pilots must be free to regulate engine power accordingly. It would not be practical or safe to require landing aircraft to comply with maximum noise levels, and regular measurement of noise on landing would not serve a useful purpose.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take steps to require the British Airports Authority to submit its proposals for the reduction of aircraft noise to the Department of the Environment for approval.
§ Mr. OnslowMy right hon. Friend is responsible for aircraft noise matters and any proposals made by the British Airports Authority for the reduction of aircraft noise would fall to be considered by this Department. But the Department of the Environment would naturally be consulted as appropriate.