To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects the final guidance to airport operators on preparing noise action plans in accordance with the European environmental noise directive to be published. (270363)

[holding answer 23 April 2009]: DEFRA consulted on Guidance for Airport Operators on noise action plans in September 2008. The consultation period finished at the end of November and the responses received were evaluated. After making some amendments the final version of the guidance was published in March and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.