§ Lord Gainfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have carried out a review of the night restrictions that currently apply at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports in the light of the recent judicial review and, if so, what was the outcome.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen):Since the judgment of 20 December, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport has given very careful consideration to the night flying 34WA restrictions which were announced on 6 May last year. The Government recognise the need to ensure that local communities are not exposed to excessive levels of aircraft noise at night. We have decided not to propose any changes. This fulfils the Government's intention of keeping noise levels at Heathrow and Gatwick below those permitted in summer 1988.
The new consultation paper explains more fully what was meant in pars 34 of the original consultation paper of January 1993 to meet a point which was challenged in the High Court.
The consultation paper is being widely circulated to Members of Parliament, local authorities and environment groups, as well as to the aviation industry. The department is asking for comments on the proposals by 9 May. A copy has been placed in the House of Lords Library.
Additionally, my right honourable friend is writing to the Chief Executive of BAA plc to ask him to consider carefully whether there is more that BAA or the airlines can do on a voluntary basis to reduce disturbance caused by night flights.