§ Mr. Sandelsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will announce the Government's long-term policy on restrictions on night flights at Heathrow and Gatwick.
Mr. Clinton Davies :Yes. Following the consultations I have carried out, I have decided that noisier aircraft flights at night at Heathrow and Gatwick will be phased out by equal cuts over 10 years from 1st April 1978.
I have commissioned a three-year research programme on the relationship between aircraft noise and sleep disturbance, to provide a scientific basis for deciding whether quieter aircraft movements at night should also be phased out, and, if not, what restrictions should be placed on them.
Meanwhile, there will be quotas for quieter aircraft movements, including non-jet movements, which will increase as the noisier quotas are reduced. The details of the quota arrangements will be announced shortly.