§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of his Department's research and development programmes in the areas listed in appendix II to the annex to the summary of the final report of the NATO CCMS pilot study on aircraft noise in a modern society.
§ Mr. HanleyMy Department is involved in several studies to further the understanding of noise associated with military aircraft. In parallel, we continue to develop noise modelling and prediction capabilities. In collaboration with authorities in the United States and Canada we have completed initial work into the feasibility of a study to investigate the possible effects on health of noise from low-flying aircraft, and a report is being prepared. In the case of airspace management, a contract has been let to develop an automated low-flying flight planning enquiry and notification system— ALFENS.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the recommendations of the final report of the NATO CCMS pilot study of aircraft noise in a modern society.
§ Mr. HanleyThe NATO CCMS pilot study on aircraft noise was completed in 1989. A follow-up group was created the following year to implement its technical recommendations. This group exchanges information 131W between participating countries and encourages individual or multinational studies. The United Kingdom contributed to a major symposium on helicopter noise, sponsored by NATO CCMS and held in the USA, and is currently participating in collaborative working parties engaged in noise modelling around airports and in the investigation and modelling of helicopter noise.