§ 81. Mr. ROWLANDSasked the Under-secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that complaint has been made by Messrs. Basset and Sullivan, working farmers and market gardeners at Dartford, to the commanding officer at Joyce Green, of the damage done by the landing of an aeroplane on their land, when considerable damage was done to their crops and fences, also by the crowd of people attracted to the field; whether he is aware that there was no legitimate cause why the landing should have been made there, and if he can give any explanation in connection with the occurrence, as the damage to the crops prevents the farmers carrying out the wishes of the Food Controller; and if he will also see that instructions are given to the pilots to avoid unnecessary damage?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE to the AIR MINISTRY (Major Baird)I am obliged to the hon. Member for directing my attention to this occurrence, which was due to a regrettable misunderstanding. Practising forced landings forms part of a pilot's training, but the importance of avoiding landings of aircraft in circumstances likely to involve damage to crops is fully appreciated. Instructions on this point have been issued, and are being reiterated.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that this particular machine was carrying a passenger and that the passenger alighted, walked across the field, and got over a wall into the house?
§ Major BAIRDI understand that the damage in this case was not done by the landing of the machine, but by the people who always congregate when a machine lands. Every effort is being made to stop it.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSBut may I ask the hon. Gentleman is he aware that the damage was caused by the passenger alighting from the machine and getting over the wall into the neighbouring house?