Night Flights (Hansard, 6 May 1993)

§ Mr. Wilshire
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will publish a list of those airlines, airport owner/operators, local authorities, pressure groups and other similar organisations and bodies that have submitted observations on his proposals for new night flight controls at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports;
(2) how many representations he has received from members of the public on his proposals for new night flight controls at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports.

§ Mr. Norris
The numbers of responses received in the relevant division to date is as follows:—

17 Members of Parliament and MEPs (other than letters covering constituents' views);

3 Airport consultative committees

66 Local authorities, Parish and Town councils, and local authority organisations;

41 Environmental and other local groups;

2 Aviation and acoustical consultants

61 Airlines;

5 Airport and aviation bodies;

17 Airline and airport users;

1,823+ Responses from people living around Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted;

83 Responses from people living elsewhere;

2,762^* Petitions and signatures lodged in bulk.

+ Relates to number of letters, not number of signatures.

^* Numbers subject to verification.
Figures exclude correspondence related to proposed aircraft noise classifications. A list of the main respondents will be made available in due course.

§ Mr. Wilshire
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will publish a list of those Governments with whom discussions have been held on the new aircraft type classification proposed in his consultation paper on new night flight controls at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports; and how many of such Governments have indicated their support;
(2) if he will make a statement on the outcome of the discussions with the United States Federal Aviation Authority on their willingness to accept the new aircraft type classification system proposed in his consultation paper on new night flight controls at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports.

§ Mr. Norris
The classification system is based on the noise certification data which all modern aircraft are required to possess to operate between states that are signatories of the Chicago convention. As stated in the consultation paper, the use of such data is being discussed with several European countries with the hope of evolving a common approach. These discussions are being conducted through regular contacts at normal aviation fora. The outcome of our present consultation in relation to Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted is not dependent on the outcome of these discussions.