§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what(a) discussions his Department has had 176W or plans to have and (b) representations have been received by his Department with regard to the past and potential future impact of (i) changes in noise levels permitted from individual aircraft and (ii) changes in the size of aircraft upon (a) past increases and future total passenger and freight numbers and (b) past and future (1) economic, (2) environmental and (3) social impacts. [81418]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe full information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The assessment of options for the future of UK aviation contains information on economic, social and environmental impacts. This information is set out in the national airport consultation documents published in July 2002. A complete set of those documents and supporting material is available in the Libraries of the House.
§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what(a) discussions his Department has had or plans to have and (b) representations have been received by his Department with regard to the past and potential future impact of (i) compensation and (ii) noise insulation schemes being made available to householders near airports upon (a) past increases and future total passenger and freight numbers and (b) past and future (1) economic, (2) environmental and (3) social impacts; [81421]
(2) what assessment and research has been made by his Department, or is planned, of the past and potential future impact of (a) compensation and (b) noise insulation schemes being made available to householders near airports upon (i) past increases and future total passenger and freight numbers and (ii) past and future (a) economic, (b) environmental and (c) social impacts; [81420]
(3) what (a) compensation and (b) noise insulation schemes are available to householders near airports; what the total level of compensation and financial support has been in each year since 1992; what plans there are to change the nature of the schemes. [81419]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Government consider that providing for the effective management of the impacts of airport development will be a key element of a sustainable airports policy. Indeed, this is identified as one of three central issues in the current consultation document, "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom". The document includes proposals for a range of measures aimed at controlling or mitigating local impacts —including the effects of noise from aircraft —and, where that is not possible, providing adequate compensation. The Government are seeking consultees' views on those proposals and inviting other ideas for dealing with this issue.
We will study carefully what consultees say in their responses when we come to take decisions for the White Paper next year.
The SERAS study considered the economic costs of aircraft noise, based on observed impacts on property prices. The results are presented in paragraph 14.31 of the consultation document, which is available in the Libraries of the House along with all the SERAS technical reports.
177WIn terms of the current position on compensation and noise insulation schemes, I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) on 15 October 2002, Official Report, columns 721– 22W, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 25 April 2002, Official Report, columns 388–89W. Information on costs paid under noise insulation schemes is not kept centrally.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has published a series of five booklets entitled, "Compulsory Purchase and Compensation", which are available free from Free Literature, PO Box 236, Wetherby, LS23 7NB (tel. 0870 1226 236) —product code 01PD0458/1-5.
§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what UK legislation covers the maximum level of noise from aircraft(a) registered, (b) landing and (c) flying through airspace in the United Kingdom; and what plans there are to amend the legislation. [81424]
§ Mr. JamiesonNoise certification requirements are prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), under Annex 16 Volume I of the Chicago Convention. The Aeroplane Noise Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 1452) and the Air Navigation (Environmental Standards) Order 2002 (SI 2002 No. 798) transpose these requirements, certain European aircraft noise Directives, and noise certification requirements for microlight aircraft developed by the Civil Aviation Authority, into UK legislation. Taken together, this legislation requires noise certification of most types of civil aircraft taking off or landing in the UK. Civil aircraft overflying UK airspace without taking off or landing in the UK are unlikely to cause significant noise nuisance.
EU Regulation 1592/2002 establishes with effect from 28 September 2003 the new European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Article 15 (l)(h) of that Regulation will confer on EASA a duty to issue environmental certificates, which currently is the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority for UK-registered aircraft. Future measures, such as those required to implement the ICAO Chapter 4 requirements for new types of jet aircraft from 2006, will be taken in this context. Detailed arrangements will be determined in due course.
In addition, departure noise limits are specified by Notice under s78 of the 1982 Act for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. Some other UK airports apply their own operational noise limits.