§ Mr. Tierneyasked the Secretary of State for Trade if it is his intention to make some provisions to protect householders living in close proximity to airport terminals who suffer from high noise levels considered to be detrimental to the long-term health interests of such residents.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisAt airports which have been designated under Section 29 of160W the Civil Aviation Act 1971, where noise abatement is the direct responsibility of my right hon. Friend, measures to reduce the effect of aircraft noise on the ground are already in force. As part of these measures schemes at Heathrow and Gatwick provide for the payment of grants, within defined areas near the airports, to assist with the insulation of dwellings against aircraft noise. At airports which have not been so designated, noise abatement is primarily a matter for the airport authorities concerned. For example, there are noise insulation grant schemes at Luton and Manchester financed by the local authorities which own and operate those airports.