§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy towards the proposed EU directive on civil subsonic jet aircraft. [58582]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonTo gain the benefits of early implementation the measure has been transformed into a Regulation which the UK supported when it was agreed at the Transport Council on 1 October as reported in the Parliamentary Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport on 20 October 1998,Official Report, columns 1099–101. It is essential to maintain progress in reducing aircraft noise at source. This measure will help to ensure that the environmental gains achieved by the phasing out of older, noisy Chapter 2 aircraft by 2002 are not lost.