§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he will publish the results of the review of the boundaries of the helicopter noise insulation grant scheme;
(2) if he will publish the results of the noise survey carried out by the university of Ulster at sites affected by high levels of helicopter activity.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThere is little that I can add to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) on 21 June, column647. The results of the noise surveys undertaken by the university of Ulster in the vicinity of the helicopter landing sites at Bessbrook, Crossmaglen and Forkhill are currently being studied by my Department.
My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces expects to be in a position to write to the hon. Member, and other hon. Members who have expressed an interest, in the near future with details of the survey results. Local announcements will be made shortly afterwards.
§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many helicopter noise insulation grants have been issued since the insulation scheme was implemented;
(2) how many buildings currently fall within the boundaries to which the helicopter noise insulation grant scheme applies.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonNoise insulation grant schemes were introduced at Bessbrook, Crossmaglen and Forkhill on 1 June 1988. These enabled residents of homes within the qualifying noise contour to apply for grants for secondary acoustic glazing for all bedrooms and up to two living rooms.
The following table lists the number of grant applications received thus far for each scheme.
Eligible dwellings Grant applications Bessbrook 45 22 Crossmaglen 30 24 Forkhill 20 1 TOTAL 95 47