asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether research on the effectiveness of pebble beds as a safe means of arresting overshooting aircraft is continuing; and whether such beds have been constructed yet at any airports within the United Kingdom.

The first part of the Question is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Aviation Supply, but I understand that research on arrester beds of pebbles and other materials is continuing at the Royal Aircraft Establishment.An arrester bed of a limited size has been installed by the airport authorities of Southend.