§ 58. Sir ROBERT THOMASasked the Secretary of State for Air whether there are any regulations requiring all civilian aeroplanes plying for public hire on routes involving passage over the sea to be fitted with floats to ensure safety in case of a forced descent on to the water?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe answer is in the negative. There is, however, a regulation which requires that a life-belt for each person on board shall be carried by aircraft engaged on flights at any point of which they are more than 10 miles from the nearest land.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the desirability of enforcing the provision of a fuselage that might float for a certain time? Is that considered to be a practicable policy?
§ Sir S. HOAREThere are technical difficulties, obviously, in the way of a proposal of that kind. I am satisfied that all reasonable precautions are taken.