§ Mr. Harry Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will specify for which aircraft types 95 perceived noise decibels footprint diagrams will be included in his future consultation document on night restrictions.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThis matter is still under consideration.
§ Mr. Harry Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Transport what change there has been in the aircraft noise contours around Gatwick airport between 1984 and 1985; and what action he intends to take as a consequence.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe area within the 35 noise and number index contour which is generally taken to indicate the onset of disturbance was 225 sq km in 1984, 299 sq km in 1985 and 288 sq km in 1986. We continue to pursue the policies in relation to aircraft noise described in the airports policy White Paper of June 1985. The ban on non noise-certificated subsonic jets will apply to foreign registered aeroplanes from 1 January 1988. We shall continue to press, in international negotiations, for the492W eventual phasing out of chapter 2 aircraft, such as the BAC1–11, which is one of the noisier aircraft using Gatwick.
§ Mr. Harry Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate an update of aircraft noise infringement limits.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyBAA plc is considering, together with the Civil Aviation Authority and officials of the Department, the introduction of an integrated noise and track-keeping monitoring system for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. When we know the capability of the equipment we shall consider the criteria against which it should be operated, including revised noise limits.