§ LORD MOLSONasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the last Labour Government gave an undertaking that Concorde would not be allowed to make supersonic noise over Britain; whether the present Government adopt that policy; and whether they will define more closely the distance and altitude at which Concorde would be free to pass the sound barrier.
§ LORD BESWICKThe last Labour Government had announced their intention to publish for consultation proposals for the banning of commercial supersonic flights over the United Kingdom. They had not reached a final decision.
No formal action to regulate commercial supersonic overflight of the United Kingdom has yet been necessary. On the assumption that the Concorde programme continues, regulations for this purpose will be brought forward in good time before the aircraft's entry into commercial service.