§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many complaints he has received about aircraft noise at nighttime within the Gatwick control zone in respect of fixed-wing general aviation aircraft and jet aircraft, respectively; and if he will explain the reasons for the current ban on night movements by general aviation aircraft at Gatwick.
§ Mr. TebbitMy Department received 85 complaints about aircraft movements at night in the Gatwick area during the 12 months ending on 30 June 1980, but they did not all relate to specific aircraft and it is not possible to say how many of them related to general aviation aircraft. The restrictions which I have imposed on night movements at Gatwick do not specifically differentiate between general aviation aircraft and other types. However, the allocation of movements within the quotas is a matter on which I accept the advice of the operators using the airport as submitted by the scheduling committee.