HC Deb 24 May 1921 vol 142 cc11-2
26. Mr. RAPER

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether foreign aeroplanes plying for hire or reward in this country are required to have an air-worthiness certificate which guarantees them to be up to the standard of British machines holding these certificates?

Captain GUEST

Under the International Air Convention, every aircraft engaged in international navigation must be provided with a certificate of airworthiness issued or rendered valid by the State whose nationality the aircraft possesses. Until the standard minimum requirements of such certificates shall have been laid down by the International Commission for Air Navigation, the individual States are responsible for determining the conditions under which their certificates may be granted.

Mr. RAPER

Do the certificates held by the French machines show that they are of equal efficiency with the British machines?

Captain GUEST

My hon. Friend will appreciate from the reply I have given that the matter of the International Air Convention has not yet been definitely ratified in the fullest international sense. Our hope is that the negotiations will terminate in that sense.