§ Mr. Tierneyasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will advise the West Midlands County Council to monitor the precise noise levels at Birmingham airport;
(2) if he will advise the West Midlands County Council to draw up a draft noise insulation grant scheme map with reference to Birmingham airport.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe monitoring of noise levels at Birmingham airport and the introduction of a noise insulation grants scheme are matters primarily for the airport owners, the West Midlands County Council, although my Department is prepared to offer any advice needed.
A Private Bill containing powers for the county council to take action on these matters has recently been presented to Parliament. I am drawing my hon. 670W Friend's Questions to the attention of the Chairman of the Council's Airport Sub-Committee and with the suggestion that he should keep my hon. Friend informed of the Council's intentions in these matters.
§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress has been made towards the implementation of noise certification standards for aircraft as outlined by Her Majesty's Government in December 1973.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe noise certification regulations have been amended so that new production of the older types of subsonic jet aircraft must meet the noise certification requirements as from 1st January 1976. No decision has yet been taken on the possibility of bringing older aircraft now flying within the scope of the regulations, but studies are continuing both domestically and at an international level.
§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list in the Official Report the number of houses surrounding each British airport which have been granted either full or partial grants towards soundproofing.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisGrants have been paid for noise insulation of dwellings by the airport owners at four British airports. Those at the British Airports Authority airports of Heathrow and Gatwick under schemes prescribed by Statutory Instrument; those at the local authority airports of Luton and Manchester under schemes set up under Local Act powers. The number of dwellings for which grants have been approved to date is as follows:
Heathrow 14,000 Gatwick 950 Luton 1,480 Manchester 2,950