HC Deb 04 December 1990 vol 182 cc106-7W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types of aircraft whose noise levels were measured during the noise survey at RAF West Freugh in June 1990; and if he will list the range of flying speeds and heights for which noise level data were collected, for each type of aircraft.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Neubert) gave to the hon. Member for Merionnydd Nant Conwy (Dr. Thomas) on 10 July 1990 at column191, which listed those aircraft involved in the survey which are common users of the United Kingdom low-flying system. Additionally, measurements were taken of noise levels from F15 and F16 aircraft which are not common users of the United Kingdom low-flying system. Further details of the survey will be published when results are available.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to extend the noise insulation grant scheme around military airfields to(a) schools, (b) hospitals and (c) old people's homes.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Ministry of Defence's noise insulation grant scheme is designed to provide a measure of relief from the worst effects of military aircraft noise for residents when in their homes. A "home" may be a residential home for the elderly or permanent living accommodation in a school or hospital. Apart from that circumstance, accommodation in schools and hospitals is not included within the scope of the scheme. However, as previously announced by my hon. Friend the then Minister for Roads and Traffic on 28 June 1989 at column 475, the possible extension of the statutory schemes (which the Ministry of Defence follows administratively) to include such accommodation is being studied by an inter-departmental group led by the Department of Transport. I understand that the group expect to submit their report in the first quarter of 1991.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what ear protection was provided to(a) Ministry of Defence personnel and (b) civilian contractor personnel operating noise measurement and tracking equipment on the ground during the military aircraft noise survey at West Freugh in June.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

Appropriate hearing protection was made available to personnel involved in this survey.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the maximum values of single noise events measured during the military aircraft noise survey at West Freugh in June will be published.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

No decision has yet been taken on the format in which the results of this study will be published.