HC Deb 19 January 1976 vol 903 cc325-6W
Mr. Ronald Bell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether a deadline has been established for compliance by the United Kingdom with the noise regulations relating to conventional aircraft of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Mr. Clinton Davis

The United Kingdom is already complying with the existing ICAO noise standards for conventional aircraft. The proposed tightening of these standards is still under consideration by member States and no date has yet been agreed for the application of the proposed new standards.

Mr. Ronald Bell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether it is his policy to require the fitting of hush-kits to all BAC111 and Trident aircraft; and whether production versions of these kits are actually available now for installation.

Mr. Clinton Davis

The older types of jet aircraft now in service, such as the Trident and BAC111, are at present exempt from the provisions of the United Kingdom Air Navigation (Noise Certificate) Order 1970, although any new production of these aircraft after 1st January 1976, if they use United Kingdom airports, will also be required to meet the noise regulations. I am at present considering the complex question of retrofitting the older types of aircraft now in service.

Production versions of hush-kits for the BAC111 would be available if ordered but there are no production versions of a Trident hush-kit.

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