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Civil Aviation Bill

I listened carefully to what hon. Members said about disturbance and so forth, and I understand their concerns. Interestingly, the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier) pointed out that the experience of noise levels, particularly low frequency noise, varies from person to person, so different people are disturbed by different noises. I accept that there is a genuine problem and that Members are putting forward the concerns that have been expressed to them by their constituents, but I think that we will have to differ. I take issue with the hon. Member for Windsor (Adam Afriyie), who, in suggesting that the Government’s policy was to have open skies and as many flights as possible, was not only a little disingenuous but very wide of the mark. In dealing with aviation, night flights and the number of disturbances, we have to strike a balance between the economic benefits of a vibrant and significant aviation industry and the social and environmental consequences. That is always difficult, and there will of course be differences of opinion among Members. I have an airport on my doorstep and planes flying over my house. I understand the issues that local residents will raise about disturbance, because I deal with that from my own constituents. It is a balancing act in terms of the problems that can be caused, and the economics. For example, large numbers of people are employed in the industry.