HC Deb 25 July 1979 vol 971 cc272-3W
Mr. Hordern

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the present annual number of night flights permitted at Gatwick; what is the number at Heath row; and what plans he has to reduce the number of night flights at Gatwick.

Mr. Tebbit

The maximum annual number of night flights permitted is 8,550 at Gatwick and 6,900 at Heathrow. With in these totals noisier night flights are being phased out completely by 1987 and the number of quieter movements is being allowed to increase. This policy will be reviewed in the light of the results of the current research into the relation ship between aircraft noise and sleep disturbance and other relevant criteria.