HC Deb 14 May 1973 vol 856 cc225-6W
28. Mr. Nicholas Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the maximum overpressure experienced at St. David's Cathedral during the period of the Concorde test programme arising from storm or natural causes; and what has been the maximum overpressure arising from the supersonic flights.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The maximum overpressure measured at St. David's Cathedral from Concorde's test flights has been 2.7 lbs./sq. ft. Comparable measurements of storms at St. David's are not available. Measurements on the cathedral structure indicate that the effects of sonic boom are well within the range of environmental influences.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requests he has received, and what replies he has given, to sanction expenditure to produce a quieter engine than the Rolls-Royce Olympus 593 for installation in the Concorde aircraft.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

Studies are in hand to explore possible ways of reducing Concorde's noise, but no proposal has been received to introduce a new engine to replace the Olympus 593.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the figure of 115 EPNdB given as the landing noise of Concorde is a maximum or an average; and what percentage difference in noise this means over the internationally agreed figure of 108 EPNdB.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The manufacturer's estimate of the noise of Concorde on approach as 115 EPNdB is based on the same criteria as comparable measurements for subsonic aircraft. There are not international standards for supersonic aircraft noise levels.