HC Deb 25 April 1977 vol 930 cc201-2W
Mr. Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when the Civil Aviation Authority report on Concorde's noice performance during the first 12 months operations from Heathrow will be published.

Mr. Clinton Davis

The Civil Aviation Authority today published a report on the noise data from the first 12 months of scheduled Concorde operations at Heathrow Airport, London. Copies of the report are being placed in the Library.

The report contains an assessment of the impact of the 327 scheduled Concorde flights in the first 12 months on overall noise exposure as measured by the Noise and Number Index. It concludes that the effect of this number of flights has been very small indeed and in no area has the NNI increased by more than one unit.

The noise levels of Concorde measured at a number of sites along the flight paths are compared with those of other aircraft measured at the same sites. On arrival, Concorde is shown to be on a par with the Boeing 707 in the immediate vicinity of the airport. On departure Concorde has been shown to be within the range of noise levels caused, at the permanent monitoring sites, by subsonic aircraft using the same runways.

Her Majesty's Customs and Excise on figures relating to imports of sperm whale oil.

Mr. Meacher

Country and port details are suppressed, but monthly total quantities and values of imported sperm whale oil are published.

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will publish the annual figures for imports of sperm whale for every year since 1970.

Mr. Meacher

Following is the information for sperm whale products which are separately distinguished in the overseas trade statistics: