§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies are being carried out into the influence of water vapour created by aircraft on the atmosphere, and on the stratosphere in particular, over and above naturally occuring water vapour levels; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinIn the troposphere, water vapour is known to be an important natural contributor to the greenhouse effect, although the contribution made by aircraft is negligible. Whether the amounts emitted by aircraft directly into the lower reaches of the stratosphere are significant is a matter on which I am seeking advice from Professor Hoskins, the Department's scientific adviser on global environment.
§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals exist for scienific studies into the effect on stratospheric ozone in relation to proposals for a post-Concorde fleet of supersonic transport aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinIn the United States of America the National Aeronautical and Space Administration is undertaking a major programme of research into this issue in view of the recent revival of interest in supersonic transport aircraft. In addition to determining the potential impact of an supersonic transport aircraft fleet on the protective ozone layer, NASA is also seeking to establish technologies and operational procedures that would 303W ensure that future supersonic transport operations would not result in significant ozone depletion. At home, Warren Spring laboratory has been asked to consider what effect aircraft operations in the stratosphere might have on the ozone layer.