§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is now able to state whether the Heathrow noise limits will apply to Concorde when it enters operational service.
§ Mr. ShoreArising out of evaluation of the endurance trials, noise abatement procedures are being adopted which should result in an improvement in Concorde's noise performance. These will be developed in operational service. I have, therefore, decided that Concorde will be exempted from Heathrow's noise limits. Monitoring will continue under a variety of conditions.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether overflying rights have been negotiated for the British Airways Concorde service to Bahrain.
§ Mr. ShoreFull agreement on over-flying rights has now been reached for the Concorde service to Bahrain due to start on 21st January. I am grateful to the Lebanese, Syrian, Jardanian and Saudi Arabian Governments for their co-operation in agreeing the supersonic corridor.