THE views of your correspondents Ms Karen Wong and Mr Stephen Yam Chi-ming (South China Morning Post, January 10), are carefully noted. For the benefit of your readers I would like to clarify as follows: (a) The five District Boards' opinions will be carefully considered. That is the purpose of the consultation process: to hear their views as to where the correct balance should be, between economic benefits, most of which flow directly into Hong Kong's tourism, travel, manufacturing and related industries, and the additional noise nuisance caused to some of our fellow citizens. However, the views of others will also have to be taken into account; and, (b) My one-night stay in the worst noise-stricken part of Kowloon City was so that I could better appreciate the views expressed by the residents, through the District Board. I was not there to judge whether the aircraft noise was acceptable or unacceptable, as I was heard saying on TV. When next asked what my personal perception was after all, I said the aircraft noise was loud, but I did not find it particularly obtrusive. If I had not taken up the invitation to go and spend the night there, what would then have been said by your correspondents? P. K. N. LOK Director of Civil Aviation
